Jefferson, Eddie, 1918-1979

found: African American National Biography, accessed February 18, 2014, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Jefferson, Eddie; Edgar Jefferson; jazz singer, dancer, lyricist, soldier; born 03 August 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States; danced and sang with the Zephyrs at the Chicago World's Fair (1933); performed with Coleman Hawkins's big band at Dave's in Chicago; credited with the innovation of setting lyrics to recorded instrumental jazz improvisations, thus creating what has come to be known as “vocalese”; stayed for sixteen years, both as Moody's singer and as his manager; worked with King Pleasure at the Zebra Lounge in Los Angeles (1957); under his own name recorded the album Body and Soul; joined Artistic Truth, the band of the drummer Roy Brooks, (1974-1975); performed on the PBS television show Sound Stage; sang in concert with Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter at Carnegie Hall (23 March 1979); made a film, “Eddie Jefferson: Live at the Showcase”; died 09 May 1979 in Detroit, Michigan, United States)