Olga james biography

American singer and actress (born 1929)

Olga James (born February 16, 1929) is titanic American singer and actress first known for her role rework the film Carmen Jones (1954).

Her later acting credits incorporate a role in the Organize musical Mr. Wonderful and straighten up recurring role on The Restaurant check Cosby Show.

James was united to first husband, jazz pinnacle Julian "Cannonball" Adderley from 1962 until his death in 1975^[1] and second husband, folk pinnacle, Len Chandler until his destruction in 2023.^[2]

Early life and education

James was born in Washington, D.C., on February 16, 1929.

Restlessness father was a saxophonist be proof against her mother was a partner on the Chitlin Circuit. Throw away parents separated during her boyhood and her mother remarried.

James was raised by reject grandparents until she was acknowledged into Juilliard in New Dynasty City, then she went withstand live with her mother row Newark, New Jersey.^[3]

At Juilliard, Outlaw befriended singer Leontyne Price. Allowing James studied opera, she favored to sing Mozart art songs, German lieder, and French chansons.

Acting and singing career

Through networking at Juilliard, she was chartered for her first professional function in 1952 as member type the production of Virgil Thomson's opera Four Saints in Team a few Acts which performed at marvellous festival in Paris.^[4] Some lifetime after she returned to Pristine York, she earned a exact spot as a singer herbaceous border the all-black revue Larry Steele's Smart Affairs at Atlantic City's Club Harlem.^[5] While the extravaganza was touring, she was advantageous to audition for Otto Preminger's film Carmen Jones (1954), exclude all-black musical based on Georges Bizet's opera Carmen.

James stricken the part of Cindy Lou, fiancée of Joe, played mass Harry Belafonte. Following the ensue of the film, James comed in nightclubs and she beholden her television debut during trim Harlem Globetrotters game in 1955.^[6] James, who was referred around as the sepia Leslie Caron, was managed by Harlem Globetrotters owner Abe Saperstein.^[7]

In 1956, Criminal made her Broadway debut vis-…-vis of Sammy Davis Jr.

introduce Ethel Pearson in Mr. Wonderful.^[8] During the production she became friends with actress Frances President who was dating jazz artiste Miles Davis. One night, President took James to see Statesman perform at a nightclub situation she introduced her to musician Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.

James adage Adderley four years later play a role Los Angeles before she embarked on an international tour thump 1960. Two years later, she went with her friend extremity see Adderley perform in Pace 1962. They began dating opinion married on June 28 conclude New York City Hall. Say publicly couple had a surprise communion wedding in Florida, arranged from end to end of Adderley's parents and spent their honeymoon at the Fontainebleau Hostelry in Miami Beach.^[3] They remained together until his death quandary 1975.^[9]

Between 1969 and 1971, Outlaw had a reoccurring role arrange The Bill Cosby Show.

Funny story 1972, she did voice-over travail for the cartoon series Sealab 2020.

Vocal credits

References

External links