Daily Dose Of Jazz….

Elaine Leighton was born on May 22, 1926 in New York City and while in high school she was in the same class as Stan Getz and Shorty Rogers. Early in her career around 1949 Leighton worked with Jackie Cain and Roy Kral. She then went to work with Ann Mae Winburn who led the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

In the mid-Fifties Leighton would play in a trio with pianist Carl Drinkard and accompanied Billie Holiday, recording with her on several sessions including the 1954 Koln live recording. She would be part of an all female trio with bassist Bonnie Wetzel and pianist/singer Beryl Booker. Following a European tour Elaine started freelancing in New York, from 1957 to 1959, then led her own trio.

She has worked with Buddy DeFranco and Red Norvo, was a part of the Jazz USA tour with Clark Terry, Lucky Thompson, Tal Farlow, Kenny Clarke, Terry Pollard, Norma Carson and Mary Osborne, and recorded as a part of the Leonard Feather “Cats vs. Chicks” sessions for MGM. Drummer Elaine Leighton never led a recording session but performed on many classic recording dates but no longer performs at the age of 91.

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