Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Born John Norman Mapp on March 31, 1928 and raised in Queens, New York. He started his music career as a singer with the U.S. Army band during World War II while stationed in Europe. Receiving his honorable discharge, he returned home to continue singing in New York City.

After an evening of performing, Dinah Washington went uptown to a Harlem night club to hear Norman sing at his debut. Impressed by his performance she adopted him as her protégé, encouraged him to continue singing and writing songs, and helped him start his career as a soloist and big-band musician.

As a composer, Mapp’s songs include Jazz Ain’t Nothin’ but Soul, I Worry ‘Bout You, Mr. Ugly, In the Night, Free Spirits, and Foul Play. His songs have been performed by Count Basie, Betty Carter, Marvin Gaye, Gigi Gryce, Peggy Lee, and Arthur Prysock.

Vocalist and composer Norman Mapp, who never regretted making music his career…because it brought him a wealth of experience, passed away in 1988.

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