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With a career spanning six decades, the New York born jazz vocalist Helen Merrill has recorded and performed with some of America's most respected names. From the age of 14 she began singing in jazz clubs around New York's Bronx district and by the time she was 16 had turned professional. Her recording debut came in 1952 with Earl Hines, one of the most influential jazz pianists of his era, who asked Merrill and Etta Jones to sing on the single 'A Cigarette for Company'. The song was a minor hit and brought Merrill to the attention of Mercury Records who signed her for their new Emarcy label. Her debut album titled 'Helen Merrill' was released in 1954 and featured players such as trumpeter Clifford Brown and bassist Oscar Pettiford and was produced by a young Quincy Jones, himself just 21 years old. The album was a success and Mercury signed her up for a four album deal. The singer subsequently spent much of her time in Europe and at certain stages in her career enjoyed more success there than in the US. She spent an extended period in Italy playing and recording with Piero Umiliani, Chet Baker and Stan Getz before eventually re-locating to Japan in 1966. Merrill has always enjoyed a strong following in Japan and even to this day continues to tour and perform there frequently appearing at the Tokyo Blue Note Club.
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