Lorez Alexandria

Vocalist Lorez Alexandria was a great interpreter of jazz and American popular song.  She sang with deeply felt presentation of the lyrics and a style of improvisational freedom and swing.  While originally from the church and informed by that soul, she was not a “shouter” or gospel singer.  Some records, like her hit version of “Baltimore Oriole”, employed exotic touches, and others had scat interludes.  Like the best instrumental soloists, Lorez communicated with the listener and told her song’s story.  Not overly famous during her lifetime, she is certainly not well-remembered today.  But she deserves to be.

Lorez Alexandria (a nickname for Delores Alexandria Turner) was born August 14, 1929 in Chicago, and raised in that city.  She sang with family members in church groups and traveling a capella gospel choirs. It is said that her choir once performed for President Truman.

As an adult she turned to a professional career in popular song and jazz, and in the 1950's Alexandria was a leading performer in Chicago nightclubs, often in the groups of pianist King Fleming.  She also performed with Ramsey Lewis, John Young, and other leading Windy City jazz musicians.  In the late 1950's and early 1960's she made seven albums for local independent labels King and Argo which stand up today as classics that should be known (and will be played in depth on our program).

In 1962 Alexandria moved to Los Angeles and remained in that city the rest of her life.  In 1964 she made two albums for Impulse with Wynton Kelly but mostly remained beneath the major radar.

Over the years she recorded with small California labels, not so widely distributed, although one was nominated for a Grammy award.   In the late 1980's she began a relationship with the more nationally known Muse Records which helped invigorate her reputation..

However, in 1993 Alexandria suffered a stroke and gradually retired from the music business.  She died of kidney disease in 2001.

 

originally broadcast January 12, 2020