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Heat Wave

Lovely Ladies of Stage & Screen

Ethel Waters

From the liner notes for this CD: "’Heat Wave’ was the show-stopping number with which Ethel Waters stole the 1933 revue As Thousands Cheer from its long-popular headliner, Marilyn Miller." Waters was part of the cast in the 1952 movie classic Member of the Wedding and the 1934 film Cabin in the Sky. She also had her own TV show, "Beulah" from 1950 to 1952.

God Bless the Child

4 By 4 [a compilation CD also featuring Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn & Dinah Washington]

Billie Holiday

This song, an anthem of sorts for "Lady Day", was co-written by her and Arthur Herzog in 1941. The 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues, starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams, was based on her memoir of the same name, published in 1956.

A Fine Romance

Lena in Hollywood

Lena Horne

This number is from the film Swing Time, with music and lyrics by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields. Horne also co-starred in the films Cabin in the Sky (1943), Words and Music (1948), and Stormy Weather (1943). She won a Grammy in 1982 for the soundtrack of her Broadway stage show The Lady and Her Music.

Legalize My Name

St. Louis Woman: Original Broadway cast (1946)

Pearl Bailey

This 1946 musical by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Johnny Mercer was never quite a success, despite star power like Bailey and the Nicholas Brothers. Bailey also starred in the all-black version of Hello, Dolly! and was featured in the movies Cabin in the Sky (1934), Carmen Jones (1954), and Porgy and Bess (1959).

Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?

The Very Best of Dinah Washington

Dinah Washington

Although Washington made only brief appearances in two films, her choice of material reflects the best of those writing for film and stage. This number was written by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin in 1956. Washington died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 39.

My Heart Belongs to Daddy

Best of Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt

TV’s inimitable "Catwoman" on camp 60’s TV series Batman, this sexy singer also appeared in the ground-breaking TV show "I Spy" (1965). Her movie career has ranged from New Faces of 1954, made when she was 27, to kid flick Harriet the Spy, in 1994.

The Sweetest Sounds

No Strings: Original Broadway cast (1962)

Diahann Carroll

This 1962 musical was written by Richard Rogers (penning his own lyrics for the first time, following the death of Oscar Hammerstein II) for Carroll, who won a Tony for it; true to its title, there is no string section in the orchestra. Carroll was in both Carmen Jones (1954) and Porgy and Bess (1959); she later broke racial boundaries in her 1968-1971 TV show, "Julia". Her most recent appearance was in this year’s "Sally Hemings: An American Scandal".

Cash for Your Trash

Ain’t Misbehavin’ original Broadway cast recording (1978)

Nell Carter

Carter won both a Tony and an Obie for her performance in this musical based on the songs of Fats Waller.

Kiss of the Spiderwoman

Kiss of the Spiderwoman: New Broadway cast recording (1995)

Vanessa Williams

This recording was made in 1994, after Williams took over the role originated by the inimitable Chita Rivera.

Book by Terrence McNally (who also wrote Corpus Christi), music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.

How Long Has This Been Going On?

George & Ira Gershwin: Standards & Gems

Audra McDonald

Star of Ragtime, and the new musical (or is it really an opera?) Marie Christine. Receiving raves for her performances and recordings

I Got Love

Purlie! Original cast recording (1970)

Melba Moore

Based on Purlie Victorious, a play by Ossie Davis, this 1970 musical co-starred Clevon Little and Sherman Helmsley. [Out of chronological order: Moore was born in 1945.] She, too, had her own TV show, "Melba" in 1986. Moore had a cameo in 1979’s Hair, directed by Milos Forman, which also featured Nell Carter.