Kay Davis

Kay Davis was an American jazz vocalist best known for her work with the Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1944 to 1950. Her distinctive high soprano voice and operatic training brought a unique sound to Ellington's compositions. While not a typical jazz singer in the scatting tradition, Davis contributed a sophisticated and ethereal quality to the orchestra's repertoire.

Davis studied opera and concert performance before joining Ellington. Her vocal range allowed her to handle demanding passages and add a different dimension to Ellington's compositions. Some of her notable recordings with Ellington include "On a Turquoise Cloud," "Transblucency," and "Creole Love Call."

After leaving the Ellington Orchestra, Davis largely retired from public performance, focusing on family and teaching music. While her tenure with Ellington was relatively brief, her impact on the orchestra's sound during that period is significant and she remains a respected figure in jazz history.