Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine (8 July,1914 – 8 March, 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as William Clarence Eckstine. He was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. He also performed

Billy Eckstine (8 July,1914 – 8 March, 1993), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as William Clarence Eckstine. He was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. He also performed briefly as Billy X. Stine. His nickname was Mr. B. Although best known as a singer, his openness to new music made him a strong influence on modern jazz, particularly bebop, as he gave employment to many of the musicians who founded the style.

Eckstine later formed an octet, then went solo, becoming a popular ballad singer while remaining an important figure in jazz. His huge, distinctive baritone made him one of the first African American singers to have mainstream success. He was the composer of the blues classic "Jelly, Jelly" and also recorded T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday Blues". Most of his success as a singer came with ballads, including "Everything I have is Yours", "Blue Moon", "Caravan," "Prisoner of Love," "You Go to My Head," and "That Old Black Magic". His last hit was "Passing Strangers", a duet with Sarah Vaughan released in 1957.