Thelma Gracen, (1922-1994) was a big band singer who never remained long with one orchestra in the 1940s.There were the bands of Gay Claridge, Shep Fields, Tommy Dorsey, Jan Garber and Jimmy Palmer. Then in 1955, she was singing at a Hollywood club when Maynard Ferguson walked in and was so impressed he lugged Mercury’s Bob Shad along for a listen. Gracen was signed and sang as a guest vocalist with Freddie Slack’s band. Then she recorded two 10-inch albums for Mercury’s Wing label, which were combined a year later in 1956 as "Night and Day" for EmArcy at the dawn of the 12-inch LP era.
It’s hard to know why these were her only record dates. The album is superb. Her voice is firm and swinging. And her intonation is loaded with a jazz feel. On the date, she was backed by Quentin Anderson (tb) Georgie Auld (ts) Lou Levy (p) Barney Kessel (g) Joe Comfort (b) and Sid Bulkin (d).
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