Toni Harper

Toni Harper was an American jazz and pop singer who rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s. She was born on June 8, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, and began her career as a child performer.

Harper's talent was recognized at an early age, and she was signed to a recording contract with RCA Victor at the age of 13. Her debut album, "Miss Toni Harper," was released in 1955 and featured a mix of jazz and pop standards.

In the late 1950s, Harper began to focus on jazz music and recorded several albums with jazz musicians such as Oscar Peterson and the Joe Masters Trio. She also appeared on television shows such as "The Perry Como Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Harper's career was put on hold in the 1960s when she became a mother, but she returned to performing in the 1970s and continued to record and perform throughout the rest of her career. She released several albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including "Lady Lonely" and "Night Mood."

In addition to her singing career, Harper also appeared in several films, including "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" and "The Tender Trap." She also provided the singing voice for the character of "Betsy" in the 1955 film "Pete Kelly's Blues."

Harper's distinctive voice, which was often compared to that of Lena Horne, and her ability to interpret jazz and pop standards have made her a beloved figure in the music world. Despite facing many challenges as a woman and as an African American in the male-dominated music industry of the 1950s, she persevered and left a lasting legacy as a talented and influential artist.

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