Vocalist Shirley Gaye was born in Caldwell, Kansas and later moved to California, where she pursued a career as a singer. She first landed a job with Ted Fio Rito’s orchestra in 1939 and then sang for Leo Reisman before joining Les Brown in early February 1940. She stayed only slightly longer than one week in Brown’s band, however, before jumping ship to Dick Stabile. She remained with Stabile through at least November.
By early 1942, Gaye had joined Jimmy James, where she stayed through at least mid-year.[1] James entered military service in 1943 and returned to the States in late 1945. He reorganized his band in early 1946, with Gaye again as vocalist. She recorded with James on the Enterprise label that year. Gaye, who preferred to sing sweet, never studied music or took vocal lessons.
Notes
Gaye’s last mention with Jimmy James was June 1942. The next vocalist mentioned with James was Betty Benson in mid-1943. ↩︎