Gloria Lynne (real name Gloria Wilson) was born on November 23, 1929 in New York City and became known as an American jazz vocalist. Growing up in Harlem, she sang in her church choir before winning first prize at the Amateur Night contest at the Apollo Theater, after which she recorded with groups such as the Enchanters and the Dell-Tones in the 1950s. Her solo career launched with a 1958 contract at Everest Records under the name Gloria Lynne. The 1960s brought albums Try A Little Tenderness, This Little Boy Of Mine, and At Basin Street East, while she toured with Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, and Ella Fitzgerald and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Her hits "I Wish You Love" and "Speaking of Happiness" charted on the pop and R&B lists, and the latter later featured in the film Seven as well as in a Ford advertisement. Over the years she issued several studio recordings and earned the 1996 International Women of Jazz Award, the 1997 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, a 2003 National Treasure Award, a 2007 Living Legend Award from Pennsylvania, and a 2008 MAC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz. Gloria Lynne died of a heart attack on October 15, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey, at age 83.
