Jazz Vocalist. Born Marlene Paula Pampinella, to parents who operated an Italian restaurant. She was initially interested in pursuing a career in Journalism however, she gravitated to singing and took lessons before hitting the nightclub circuit at the age of nineteen. She caught the attention of Charlie Spivak who hired her as a vocalist for his band and following this experience, she moved on to Tex Beneke's ensemble, and later Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. During this period, she married trombonist Billy VerPlanck. In 1955, she achieved success with her first solo album "I Think of You with Every Breath I Take." The record featured such jazz greats as Herbie Mann, Joe Wilder, Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall and Kenny Clarke. She followed this with "This Happy Feeling" (1969), which was a collaboration with her husband. She would go on to record more than a dozen albums over the next five decades, as well as perform internationally. In 1980, she served as a backup vocalist on Frank Sinatra's "Trilogy" album. In addition to albums, she recorded for TV commercials including Campbell Soup's "M'm, M'm Good" slogan.
Jazz Vocalist. Born Marlene Paula Pampinella, to parents who operated an Italian restaurant. She was initially interested in pursuing a career in Journalism however, she gravitated to singing and took lessons before hitting the nightclub circuit at the age of nineteen. She caught the attention of Charlie Spivak who hired her as a vocalist for his band and following this experience, she moved on to Tex Beneke's ensemble, and later Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. During this period, she married trombonist Billy VerPlanck. In 1955, she achieved success with her first solo album "I Think of You with Every Breath I Take." The record featured such jazz greats as Herbie Mann, Joe Wilder, Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall and Kenny Clarke. She followed this with "This Happy Feeling" (1969), which was a collaboration with her husband. She would go on to record more than a dozen albums over the next five decades, as well as perform internationally. In 1980, she served as a backup vocalist on Frank Sinatra's "Trilogy" album. In addition to albums, she recorded for TV commercials including Campbell Soup's "M'm, M'm Good" slogan.
Bio by: C.S.
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