Carole Simpson (1928-2013) born in Anna, Illinois, began piano lessons at five, voice lessons at twelve. She started as a piano cocktail single at Hotel Wisconsin in Milwaukee, until she joined Billy May’s band as a featured vocalist in 1952-1954. Then came several long and sometimes weary years of clubbing it around the country, New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, never truly deciding whether she preferred singing or playing piano.

Eventually, Tutti Camarata heard Carole sing and brought her to the attention of Dave Cavanaugh at Capitol Records, who recorded her first album in the summer of 1957—“All About Carol.” After listening to the album, Steve Allen booked her for his TV show, and in 1960, as soon as he knew Carol’s contract with Capitol was over, invited her to record her second LP, “Singin' and Swingin'” issued on the Tops label. Carole’s feeling for jazz and knowledge of music is obvious here. Her projection of the lyrics is excellent, her sound is most pleasant, and her sense of rhythm sure.

—Jordi Pujol (From the liner notes of FSRV 123)