Irene Daye

Irene Daye (January 17, 1918, Lawrence, Massachusetts – November 1, 1971, Greenville, South Carolina) was an American jazz singer.

Daye began her career at age 17 by singing in Dan Murphy's Musical Skippers big band while still in high school in 1935, continuing with Murphy through 1937. She then worked briefly with Mal Hallett before beginning work with Gene Krupa, with whose orchestra she sang from 1938 to 1941. Krupa and Daye recorded 63 titles together, with her biggest hit being "Drum Boogie", which was recorded in the last session she did with Krupa.

After leaving Krupa, Daye retired from music at the age of 23, marrying Corky Cornelius. Anita O'Day took her spot in Krupa's orchestra. Daye had a daughter in 1943, but Cornelius (then in the Casa Loma Orchestra) died suddenly later that year, after which she returned to her singing career.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 17, 1918 (Lawrence), Died November 1, 1971 (Greenville)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-065631 10-in. 5/20/1941 Do you care Sam Donahue Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor BS-065632 10-in. 5/20/1941 Beat the band to the bar Irene Daye ; Sam Donahue Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor D5VB-0358 10-in. 8/13/1945 It's been a long, long time Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D5VB-0359 10-in. 8/13/1945 If I had a dozen hearts Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D5VB-0362 10-in. 8/13/1945 Home country Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D5VB-0724 10-in. 4/7/1945 Can't you read between the lines? Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-1437 10-in. 7/24/1947 (I'm gonna wait) a little bit longer Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Charlie Spivak Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-1438 10-in. 7/24/1947 What are you doing New Year's Eve Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Charlie Spivak Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-1439 10-in. 7/24/1947 Tennessee Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Charlie Spivak Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-1442 10-in. 7/24/1947 This is the inside story Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Charlie Spivak Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2035 10-in. 11/14/1947 Golden earrings Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2070 10-in. 11/14/1947 The gentleman is a dope Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2257 10-in. 11/22/1947 Who are we to say Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Tommy Mercer Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2258 10-in. 11/22/1947 I've been a good girl Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2529 10-in. 11/27/1947 You were meant for me Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Tommy Mercer Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2530 10-in. 11/27/1947 Needles and pins Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Tommy Mercer Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2531 10-in. 11/27/1947 Win or lose Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2619 10-in. 12/9/1947 But none like you Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Tommy Mercer Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2620 10-in. 12/9/1947 Springtime in Charleston Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye ; Tommy Mercer Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist  
Victor D7VB-2621 10-in. 12/9/1947 Inner sanctum Charlie Spivak Orchestra ; Irene Daye Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Daye, Irene," accessed April 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356274.

Daye, Irene. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356274.

"Daye, Irene." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/356274

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