Anita O'Day
For the documentary film, see Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer. Anita O'Day O'Day in 2005 Background information Birth name Anita Belle Colton Also known as "The Jezebel of Jazz" Born ( 1919-10-18 ) October 18, 1919 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Died November 23, 2006 (2006-11-23) (aged 87) Los Angeles, California Genres Vocal jazz bebop Occupation(s) Singer Years active 1934–2006 Labels Verve Emily Productions Kayo Stereophonic Anita O'Day (born Anita Belle Colton ; October 18, 1919 – November 23, 2006) was an American jazz singer widely admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances that shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer". Refusing to pander to any female stereotype, O'Day presented herself as a "hip" jazz musician, wearing a band jacket and skirt as opposed to an evening gown. She changed her surname from Colton to O'...