Nellie Lutcher - R.I.P.

[Lois Gilbert]

Jazz singer, pianist Nellie Lutcher dies
6/9/2007, 5:53 p.m. CT
The Associated Press


LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Nellie Lutcher, who played piano for blues singer Ma Rainey at the age of 11 and gained prominence as a jazz vocalist in the 1940s and '50s, has died in Los Angeles. She was 94.

Lutcher's most noted hits, "Hurry on Down" and "He's a Real Gone Guy," came early in a career she continued well into her 70s.

"My mom was a fighter," her son, Talmidge Lewis of Concord, Calif., told the American Press of Lake Charles, Lutcher's home town. "The things she believed in most were loyalty and family."

Lake Charles had been planning a fall tribute on Lutcher's 95th birthday. An American Press reporter was in Los Angeles to interview her and was with one of her nephews when another, Gene Jackson, called to say she had died in hospice care.

"She had told the family, 'I'm going to go when I'm ready to go,'" said Jackson, who had been managing Lutcher's affairs.

Lutcher's father was a bass player who worked for a packing company, and Lutcher began playing early. At age 8, she was an assistant pianist at New Sunlight Baptist Church in Lake Charles.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1935 and played with small groups before signing 12 years later with Capitol Records, the first of several labels for which she recorded.

Jackson said he considered the tributes still planned for this fall in Lake Charles, including museum exhibits, "an opportunity for all her fans, young and old, to honor her."

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Sad news! We had an album of her 78s when I was growing up and she was a favorite of mine as a kid. I especially loved her song " Do You, Or Don't You Love Me (Like You Used To, Baby)" and played it over and over. The recordings we had all listed her as "Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm"!

Gonna spin her right now. Thanks for the music! And R.I.P., Nellie -- you were one of my first jazz loves!

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

[clinthopson]

I didn't even know she was still living.

I remember frequently hearing her hits on the radio in the 40s and 50s. I seem to recall seeing her on some local L.A. tv jazz show in the early 50s. She was a delightful performer.

I have one lp by Nellie, "Our New Nellie" on Liberty. It was made in 1956. Nellie is backed by some fine jazz players. I drag it out tonite and toast the lady.

Hurry on down, baby.