June Christy - The Anecdotes - Part 5

  • information on her.. completely lacking - Stephen Mak

    I totally agree with you that June Christy is a Great Singer but information on her and her songs seems to be completely lacking. Your website has the best of her. I have been looking in vain for years for a copy of any CD that would have her "My Heart belongs to Only You". It is a welcomed relief that I found it on a CD called "40 Hits : 1950-1954."

  • discography is invaluable - Russ Aiuto

    Thank you for serving the wonderful artistry of June Christy. The discography is invaluable. Has anyone written a biography of June Christy? Does she have significant mention in the Kenton biographies (which I don't have, but hope to buy soon)? Your service to classic jazz and one of the three or four great woman jazz singers is greatly appreciated.

  • June has become a big part of my life - Harris Freedman

    In l956 I was stationed in Germany...When we got up in the morning the charge of quarter had to play JUNE CHRISTY every morning...for two years I listened every morning to "maybe you'll be there" ; "thats all" and all the rest...June has become a big part of my life.

  • none of them could compare - Lance Liddle

    Just a few lines to let you know how delighted I was to discover your web site dedicated to June Christy. Like yourself I have been a fan for many years - indeed eversince I first heard the Kenton Band. I think the tracks that got me were 'Willow Weep For Me' and 'Ain't No Misery In Me'. Then came 'How High The Moon' with it's wonderful Art Pepper solo and, of course, the 'Something Cool' 10" album. I have a short story I once wrote built around the title track of the album. You might like to read it. I also have some photo's of the Kenton band of the 40's/50's which include a few shots of June with the band at Dublin and other places. As I say I have always been a big fan and it was with great sadness that, on the one and only time I saw her live, she was but a pastiche of her former self. This was in 1985 at The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland where she sang with a West Coast line up led by Bob Cooper. She looked and sounded ill and I felt sad. I also knew why I never went to see Sinatra in his latter years. Paradoxically the previous year at the same venue Chris Connor looked and sounded fantastic which only made things worse. Still, in her prime, none of them could compare and I only have to listen to 'I'll Take Romance' to remind me of that. Keep up the good work.

  • 70+ years old... - Larry Clipper

    I'm 70+ years old now, but the memories of June are still warm. Thanks for your site. I saw/heard her with the Kenton orchestra several times in 47 -51 era and am still enthralled.

  • Redondo Beach, 1959 - Will Segen

    Here's my June Christy story: I'm living in Redondo Beach, 1959. Tried to hitch accross country but finally got busted in the middle of the night in a small Arizona town. So I took the Greyhound back to LA. I had told my roomates I was hitching accross the country and was embarrassed to tell them I didn't make it. But one of my roomates, Don, was cool and I called him to fetch me at the bus depot. We went over to the Lighthouse in Hermosa. It had turned into a dismal night, the club was empty except for the band and June Christy, all sitting at the bar. They sold albums at the club so we bought "Bewitched" and Don went over to ask her to sign it. Which she did, but said she didn't feel great and wasn't going to sing. About 10 minutes later she came over and said she would. The band, Rumsey, Strazeri, and Cooper (I forget the drummer), set up and June wailed for about an hour. We were the only 2 customers in the place. It stayed that way for the entire set. I still don't believe it.

  • "Too Marvelous" - "???E ??B"

    The wonderful salute to June Christy was "Something Cool" and most enjoyable. Thank you so much for the great care in preparation and the respectful forum you created. If June were here today I'm sure she would think you're page was "Too Marvelous".

  • AFN Frankfurt - Timothy R V Foster

    I grew up in England, listening to AFN Frankfurt. There was a DJ there called Howard Burlingame
    ("Air Boy Howie B) who played a lot of June Christy. He always followed one of her songs with
    the line:
    "Nobody sings like June Christy... And that's the way it's gonna be."
    I've been a Christy fan ever since.
    Listening to Dinner Jazz on JazzFM in London a few months ago, I heard Sara Ward play a
    June Christy piece. I immediately phoned her, told her about AFN and pleaded with her to say
    the line
    "Nobody sings like June Christy... And that's the way it's gonna be," as she came out of the
    song.
    She did it! I was in ecstasy.

  • Argentina again - Eric Nesich

    My name is Eric Nesich and I visited your June Christy site.Let me tell you something:I´TS GREAT.Ii is one of the best sites of jazz music.June is my favorite singer,in my opinion she was the most great white singer in the history of jazz. I think I´m one of the most young admirers of June Christy,I´m 19 years old.I like all the songs,but my favorites are When Sunny gets blue,Make someone happy,I didn´t know about you and many more.And of course,Something Cool.
    P.S: I forget to tell you: I´m from Argentina.

  • Rome - REMO CALDATO

    There was a standing mike on stage at the exhibition gardens in Vancouver in 1947, or so. June was leaning into it, legs apart, her sultry voice floating over that great Kenton band behind her. We were about 18, standing mesmerized for hours on the dance floor in front of the band, dazzled by her wonderful talent, the glamour and sheer sexiness she radiated. Lucky mike, we thought, Luckier Bob Cooper, unassuming in the sax section. I didn't have the nerve to try to meet her backstage. I could just go back to the real world with the memory of that voice, that face, that figure, that music which is still fresh, over 50 years later.

  • Dance me over to the bar - HARRY WINDER

    In 1951 I was in the Service, the Korean "Police Action" was in progress. Some of us were invited to a show at the old "Balboa Ballroom" in Balboa, California. The show featured Lionel Hampton & a new singer named June Christy. The Ballroom was standing-room-only.I was lucky enough to be standing on the dance floor at the edge of the stage. June Christy finished her third or fourth song, approached me, leaned down & said, "I'm thirsty, will you dance me over to the bar?" She motioned me to walk around to the side of the stage where there were some stairs. I remained on the dance floor, reached up & took her hand to help her down the stairs. She cozied up & we danced our way to the bar. We ordered two lemonades (no alcohol allowed). "Hamp" said "Miss Christy you're up." June said to me "Thanks, I've got to go." & headed for the Bandstand on her own. I fell in love. She was so tiny, so cute, so cuddly, but now, so unapproachable. The next year I was sent to a training school in Connecticutt. On a three-day pass, a buddy & I went to New York City. Stan Kenton with June Christy & Maynard Ferguson was in concert at Carnegie Hall. I managed to pass her a note. The little girl was great, Kenton's band unbelievable. Not the end... In 1985 I again found myself in NYC on business. A Broker I was dealing with told me about a jazz lounge nearby. About 9 PM we met there for a drink & to finish our negotiations. Outside the Club I was astounded to see the featured entertainers were June Christy & another girl, whose name escapes me. The Club atmosphere was intimate, with the girls singing just a few feet away from our table. When it came time for a break, June was walking past headed for her dressing room. As she passed I reached for her hand, surprisingly, she took it. I pulled her near & said "Should I dance you to the bar?" She said "I've got to change." I said, "That's not what you said to me 34 years ago." She vanished behind a door that said "NO ADMITTANCE" When she returned, she leaned in & asked me what that was all about. I told her, & we had a good laugh. In love again. Never saw her again. Just for the hell of it I did the search thing for June Christy & "Voila!" your site. It's been a long time & I wonder where she is now. Wherever she is, I hope she's still hitting those blue notes. She's a nice gal. By the way, I saw Kenton again in the 50's, in Seattle. This time with Ella Fitzgerald. Hampton again, of all places--Disneyland--'84/'85.

  • a 72-year-old June Christy fan in Indianapolis - FRANK SINCLAIR

    A large thank-you for the beautiful site on June Christy.
    When I lived in London, Ontario, Canada in the 50s I never missed a date with Kenton.
    I am mailing a copy of your website to a jazz fan in London, Ontario, Canada who does not have the technology to read your site.

  • June was absolutely the greatest ! - Budd Haus

    June was absolutely the greatest ! So nice of you to take the time and energy, and no doubt money to set up a site !----I am remiss in regathering all the stuff I used to have of hers. Saw her a few times with Kenton . I think she was engaged to Cooper the first time and he let me take her to dinner in Morgantown W.Va. at the Cheat Lake Supper Club one night about 1946 0r 7, or maybe 8. I'm not sure. Actually, it was with me and a couple of other fans , most of us veterans, but she was game, and probably beat after the show. Big time ! ----Whatever really happened to her, her illness and all ? What a shame ! And Annie and Keely and Jackie and Anita are still going. I think that I saw her in Wheeling one time too, after she married Cooper. What happened to that marriage ? At age 74 I've got to get back on the stick and bring my collection up-to-date.-----Thanks again for your interest and devotion,-----sooo much .

  • Seeing her live at North Sea Jazz Festival. - Neil Doig

    I am a great fan collecting LP's when they were very hard to find and eventually seeing her live at North Sea Jazz Festival. One LP that I was never able to find was "Cool School" I still keep my LP's though rarely play them but have managed to get a number of cd's locally and from US. Most of the LP's shown on your site I have but not "Cool School" "Cool School" I have never been able to track down. Is "Cool School" available on any type of CD? From any source? "Gone for the Day" cd is not proving easy to find. I found your site by chance and it is of great interest.

  • HELP WITH MISS CHRISTY L.Ps - SIMON DENNY

    As a new comer to the delights of Miss Christy, where can i obtain the CD's and find original Capitol L.Ps (some of the wonderful album sleeves ever!). Love your site, found it via a search...great stuff...i needed to know whats out there. Can you help with any info, PLEASE. I look forward to hearing from you.
    P.S i'm also in to Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Keely Smith, Anita Day.

  • She could handle both ballads & swinging numbers. - Tom Byrne

    I was pleased to view your website on June Christy it shows that you have put in some research & effort.. Being a 'modernist' myself since the mid fifties I have always rated her In spite of the numerous god-awful pop-novelty songs she churned out, I loved her husky voice & the way she could handle both ballads & swinging numbers. I do own most of the recordings that you list plus some others of hers ,my first JC purchase was Kenton's 'How high the on a '78' and my first JC LP was 'Something Cool' on 10" (both of which I still possess). I have 2 cassettes in addition to the ones you list :- 'Something Cool' Capitol B496329 with 24 songs ( all of the original T516 + 6 Nos. Off T1006 + 6 previously issued singles all with Rugelo including a superb 'Pete Kelly's Blues'. 'Road Show' with Stan Kenton & The 4 Freshmen on tour which includes a croaky throat infectious rendition of 'Bewitched ,bothered & Bewildered' by JC + some others. I also have a CD with June doing all of the 'Something Cool' songs in a watered down version with Les Brown. I would be interested to view JC in action on video as I never saw her 'in the flesh', I did see Kenton at Belle View in 1956 but did not catch her tour with Ted Heath. Aside from Ella, I find it strange that there was a thirty year gap between the heyday of O'day, Christy, Conner, Vaughn etc. and the number of female jazz singers of today like Claire Martin, Stacey Kent, Diane Krall, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Karrin Alison, Reeves, D'ambrosio etc. If you get chance could you let me know where I can obtain a video of JC.

  • This is Los Angeles vocalist, Julie Kelly - Julie Kelly

    This is Los Angeles vocalist, Julie Kelly saying hi and letting you know how much I love your June Christy site! I've just recorded a new tribute CD to the Misty Miss Christy and would love to send you the finished product when it's all done. June came to one of my gigs here in Los angeles with her husband, Bob Cooper, "Coop", and it was one of the most memorable nights of my life. With appreciation, Julie Kelly
    www.julie-kelly.com
    my web site has some photos of the making of the June Christy CD..
    check it out!!!

  • A great memorial - Levi Taylor

    Thanks for a great memorial Jim, I really loved this girl. I was never great, but good enough to recognize greatness. She was.
    Levi (Drums, a little trumpet, a very little ivory, still trying at 70)

  • Italy - Roberto Faggi

    ITALIAN JUNE LOVER I HEARD ABOUT LIVE RECORDINGS IN JAPAN UNDER TRIO LABEL (3 VYNIL ALBUMS)
    DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION?

  • Videos? - Al

    I am trying to locate any video or DVD of June Christy. I know there wasnt any video during her era but sometimes they might have made a movie and recently put it on video. Also did she and Coop have any children? I would like to know more about her other than the bio I have seen on the web. I met June when I was playing at the Playboy Club in Phx(I'm a drummer). She came to visit with Mavis Rivers who was on the show. June looked very bad at that time and it wasnt but a few years later that she died. I had heard that it was because of alcohol. Such a great singer to have left the world in such a sad way. I have about 15 CDs and I do have one video where she is singing. It also has Peggy Lee,Sarah Vaughn and Mel Torme. I have a few Kenton videos but she is not on them. Anyway thanks again aand I would appreciate it if you would keep me in mind in case you find any Videos or DVS's with Christy. Would sure like to have a bio. The greatest singer in the world,June Christy.

  • Great Site - Jason Perry

    I enjoy your site dedicated to June Christy. Could you perhaps make some photos available or even copies of video footage? That would be great. It's great to hear her voice, but would be wonderful for us younger fans (age 40),....who were too young to watch her perform......to actually see her in action. Keep up the great the site!

  • Lovely June Christy - Joe Marquez

    I saw June Christy the first time near Vallejo, California. She was with Stan Kenton and this was his best band, in my opinion, in 1952. He had Maynard Ferguson, Art Pepper, Shelly Manne, Conte Candoli and other greats. June was wonderful. I immediately, as a boy (15), fell in love with her. I saw her again in Denver in Kenton's Festival of Modern Jazz show with Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Konitz, Errol Garner, Bill Holman and many other featured artists. I lit her cigarette backstage and particularly noticed her soft, beautiful skin. Her voice was magnificent and I also agree with many of her fans that she was best with Rugolo's Band. I regret that I didn't see her more often. I have bought every Christy CD that I can find and own 18.

  • A terrible loss to all musiclovers - Bill Hogan

    I have always been a huge Christy fan. a terrible loss to all musiclovers. Thanks for your page on her.

  • Devoted Christy Fan since the 1950s - Hans Hekler

    I discovered your excellent June Christy website some time ago. Have been a devoted Christy Fan since the 1950s when I used to listen to AFN - like Timothy Foster in your letter box - and heard the announcement "Nobody sings like June Christy .. etc." I was a boy then and was especially fascinated by "Something Cool" and "Midnight Sun". Subsequently I became an even more enthusiastic Billie Holiday fan (collected practically everything I could get hold of), but I never forgot the "Misty Miss Christy". Last year I bought four of her albums on CD and I listen to them regularly. On my own website I mention June as one of my favourite jazz singers and I have attached a link to your website. I am 65 years of age, and a retired German teacher of English and history. You can find me here. Best wishes Hans http://home.t-online.de/home/hheklerlautb

  • A nice site.. - Scott Santoro

    Here's a funny little story for you: In 1958, when I was five years old, in Louisville, KY, my mother brought home a 45, which was given to her by the manager of a record store that was closing in our local shopping center (my mother worked in the bank). She gave it to me, saying she didn't know who the singer was. "I guess that's why he was giving them away," she complained. I was always happy to have another record, so I played it...then I played it all the time. They were slow, sultry songs, Come to the Party and Lonely Woman, not the typical music a five year old would like, but I did. Thinking back, there was something mysterious and adult about it. All my records were kid stuff, of course. The record was thrown out decades ago, but I still remember the songs distinctly. So today, when something jarred loose this memory, I searched Lonely Woman / Come to the Party and thanks to the wonders of the Internet, found out who the singer was...June Christy! And Stan Kenton on piano? My mother didn't know who these people were!? I thought she was hipper than that. I thought maybe I could find a 45 of it, but then was happy to see that it's available on CD. You have a nice site...I love the designs of the 50s and the covers are great. (My new book, The Little Skyscraper reflects that passion).

  • Movie short - P.J. Mondin

    What a treat to discover your Web Site devoted to a real performer and personality. I would like to add my recollections to your many responses. I first became aware of Ms. Christy, the stellar and striking performer, via a short movie feature which as I recall was shown in the theatre in about 1955 or so. In it, a beautiful blonde with a spectacular tan and wearing a turquoise blue dress was engaged in conversation with a gentleman at the bar. She proceeded to sing the wonderful torch song "Something Cool " which became one of her hallmarks. Through it, I discovered June Christy and of course eventually became utterly hooked on the GREAT Stan Kenton sound and orchestra. I often wonder what became of the movie short -- who produced it, why it hasn't resurfaced on cable TV, etc. It was a real winner ! I own all but two of the albums which you depict on your Web site, and Something Cool and Duet are my personal favorites. I especially like My Heart Belongs to Only You, Midnight Sun and My Ship, as singles. About 1984 or so, I caught the Four Freshmen at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and inquired of Bob Flanagan if there might be a new tour or some gathering in which June Christy might join them; and Bob said that they had tried in vain to get her to tour for awhile or do some gigs. Sadly, he said, she was not of a mind to perform. Flanagan did not mention her health, but it may have already been a factor at this point. She is certainly missed; but your efforts have preserved her memory and brought such happy recollections to her many fans. You are to be commended. Thanks ! Well done !

    Does anyone have any information on this Movie Short?
    Please contact me with the details. Thanks. Jim Smith

  • My first encounter - Herb Sparks

    My first encounter with June Christy dates back to the early 50's. I was a school kid who lived in Hawaii, could not afford to buy records, so I patiently waited by the radio to hear if anything was being played featuring Ms. Christy. June Christy had an engagement at "The Clouds" in Honolulu in the 50's, I saved my money and waited till she had a matinee where by the under age kids could enjoy her music at the club. My first recording of June was "Something Cool," this was a 10 inch LP. Eventually it wore down, I replace it with a 12 inch LP. I still have all the LP's that I originally bought as a kid, I cherish these like gold. Hardly have I met anyone in my adult life who even knows of her, until a year ago I met a wonderful lady who does remember June. I have since made a tape for her featuring June Christy, she listens to her tape constantly now. One of my favorite song by June is "That's All," and of course her rendition of "Something cool." The passing of Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzerald, Mel Torme, Billy Ekstine, June Christy, John Gary and all the other great's has truly left a void in my heart. Thank you for the memories.

  • Sweet and charming - David Berk

    I'm a "huge" Christy fan and am thrilled to find your outstanding website. I belong to the e-list, "Songbirds." There are more than several devotees of June's vocalizing on that list-serve. Thanks so much for bringing us the best of June----I met her several times in L.A., while working in a record shop during my tenure at UCLA. She was as sweet and charming as she was attractive.

  • Old Paramount Theater in Manattan ... - Gene Sukovich

    I had the great pleasure of seeing June and Stan perform twice, once at the Old Paramount Theater in Manattan in either 1948 or 1949 and again at the Mosque Theater in about 1951 for the Innovations in Modern Music concert. I sing a bit (I'm a baritone) and it wasn't until I heard "I want to be happy" on your site that I realized how much she influenced my singing style. I also play piano and Stan was a major influence there. There are few musician/arrangers today who can compare with the output that came out of the Kenton orchestra, Pete Rugulo in particular.

  • Her warm voice - Robert Scrimes

    Thank you for taking the time needed to put together such a wonderful site dedicated to June. A friend of mine reminded me that I had several albums. They really brought back great memories of the fifties, and Her warm voice.

  • Forever - Ed Johnson

    Her music and style will live forever

  • Italian fan - Armando Moneta

    The best compliments from an italian fan for the great job you've done: a wonderful site, exaustive and easy to consult. Keep going!

  • Welcome Russia!!- Mikhail Konovchenko

    I'd like to thank you very much for your web site it's really good :-).
    My name's Mikhail Konovchenko. I'm Russian.
    Occasionly I've got a tape with "Just sittin' and rockin' " performed by June Christy. Since that I want her singing more and more. But here in Russia nobody knows June Christy and nobody sells her disks, except some special guys from Moscow, who want about $20 for a disk.

  • A lifelong fan - Robin Cheesman

    I have just spent a pleasant 3 hours (!) perusing the above. A lifelong fan of June I have a couple of vinyl discs I was hoping to update to CD - The Cool School and This Time of Year.

  • 'All the things you are.." - Lynn Thompson

    Just found your wonderful June Christy Page. Do you happen to know where the original version of "All the things you are" can be found. It is on a Kenton CD but reviews of the CD are not good relative to the quality. The first and only time I heard June sing this selection was in 1949 over Armed Services Radio. Thanks for the abundance of material on June.

  • "Started collecting back around 1949/50..." - JIM SWAN

    A few days ago, when I was searching for sites with information about Stan Kenton, I discovered your June Christy web site. Congratulations and many thanks for all your hard work in compiling this site, it has proved to be a mine of detail for me. The comments made by various people have made interesting reading. I have been a fan of June Christy since I heard her on some of my first Kenton 78s which I started collecting back around 1949/50. Your site has enabled me to sort out many questions about matrix numbers, recording dates etc., I have now sorted out which Capitol tracks are unique, which are duplicates and which I still do not have yet. However, I am uncertain about some of the Radio Transcriptions. If I send you details of the relevant tracks, would you be able to answer my questions regarding which tracks are duplicated on which CDs or Cassettes?

  • "For the music at which she so excelled..." - Kenneth Palmer

    Just came across your lovely website in tribute to June, and thanks for all your work. I've browsed a lot of it looking for particular information, and paused a long time over the Ray Avery gallery of photos. Saw her just once toward the end of her active career. That was at a little bar in Lafayette , Indiana sometime in the early '60s, when there was little demand for the music at which she so excelled . Have put together for my wife her two favorite albums from vinyl to home CD. They were June's Got Rhythm and This Is June Christy. I would like to be sure of the musicians and soloists on different tracks but so far find nothing but the vague references on the original album jackets. If you have these and would not mind, please scan the detail and send to me. Either way , thanks so much for your devotion and effort.

  • "Many thanks for your help!..." - Robert Darst

    First, let me congratulate you on a wonderful site! Second, a question: What is the most cost-effective way to collect CD reissues of Ms. Christy's Capitol singles (or then-unissued tracks) listed in "The Studio Masters," recorded after December 1947? (I have the Kenton and Christy/Lee boxes from Mosaic.) Many thanks for your help! With the exception of "The Best of the Capitol Years," I was able to find all of the CDs that you recommended ("Something Cool" I have already). Happily, as far as I can tell, everything on BCY is readily available elsewhere, with the exception of "When Lights Are Low." (Perhaps we'll get another EMI 2-on-1 soon!) The most difficult tracks to find were "Conflict," "June Christy," and "Daddy." I found the first two on "Innovations Orchestra" and the second on the now OOP "June Christy with the Stan Kenton Orchestra." I'm hoping to get the latter through interlibrary loan. Thanks again, and again my compliments on your excellent site.

  • "From France..." - Philippe Hirigoyen

    Congratulations for the beautiful site about June Christy. This morning I listend to the LP Misty made in 1956. In this record there are some nice musicians specially one alto sax,one Tenor sax and one trombone player. Do you know who they are? Perhaps Bud Shank,Bob Cooper and Frank Rosolino? What is your opinion?

  • Coca-Cola Spotlight Bands - Dave Smith

    Just found your June Christy web site - great job! One of my current projects is to located Coca-Cola Spotlight Bands and Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands broadcasts. You have a snippet of the 12/4/43 broadcast with June Christy as girl singer with the Boyd Raeburn Orch. Can you tell me if the complete cut exists? How about the complete program?

  • "Kenton Calendars" - Steven Harris

    I would like to know if you wouldn't mind plugging somewhere on your Christy web page my Kenton calendars. Every year since 1996, I have done these historic calendars (and one on Woody Herman too). They include rare historic photos and background on hundreds of alumni. I mention this because each year I devote the month of (what else?) June to the lady herself. (see 'Memories - Pictures of June') I usually include 3-5 photos of Christy every year (mostly unpublished action shots showing her various hairstyles at different times) and some nice background trivia and the exact date for each photo. My 2003 calendars are just out "hot off the press." Eventually I will run out of rare photos to include and hope that this will help me to track down more pics of Christy. Hope to hear from you at your convenience.
    STEVEN D. HARRIS, Pasadena, CA (626) 793-1477
    Author of "Kenton Kronicles" see Discography Part 11

  • "Finding any information on her..." - Ms. Joey Fagtongpun

    I found your site last year when I first discovered June Christy. Thank you so much. I had a difficult time finding any information on her until I came across your site. She has quickly become one of my favourite vocalists. Having spent most of my life in Illinois you'd think I would have found her before I did! You haven't come across any biographies of June have you? Anyway, thank you again for such a wonderful site, it's amazing!!

  • "June in Europe..." - Gordon Sapsed

    The picture shows June with pianist Pete Jolly, bandleader Shorty Rogers and bassist Monty Budwig - I have other photos from the same session.

  • " a Kenton / Christy fan since 1948..." - Jack Gilbert

    I enjoy your website and the many compliments the e-mailers have sent to you. I've been a Kenton / Christy fan since 1948, when I was just 18 yours old. I saw he Kenton band on six different occasions, two of which featured June Christy. She was truly a great vocalist, and in my opinion there will never be a match. My favorites are: "willow weep for me","If I should loose you", "gone for the day" "something cool","midnight sun". Another one you don't hear very often is "lonesome road", a song Kenton featured with his "Innovations in moderm music" orchestra around 1949. In closing, it goes without saying that the great arrangements by Pete Rugulo enhanced June Christy even more.

  • "Great website!" - James Hearn

    Would you know whether or not there was a stereo (or at least a digitally remastered) version of "The Misty Miss Christy." As you can guess, I would really like to avoid buying mono recordings whenever possible. (Welcome to the 21st Century!) Since you like female vocalists, I was just wondering if you could recommend any decent Peggy Lee cds. I really like "Mink Jazz" and am wondering what my next cd purchase of hers should be. The trick is to buy something in stereo that *swings* like June Christy's "Something Cool" or the "Big Band Sessions"; something that doesn't sound too "stiff." While I am writing, I might as well recommend this link. It is a shame that everyone knows Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin, but not June Christy. Perhaps you could ask the webmaster(s) to include a link to your site. www.bobbydarin.net

  • "Beautiful site!" - Jillian Henriques

    Beautiful site! At first I skimmed it quickly, but then I finally got a chance to read it. I was wondering, though, if possible you could add some lyrics? It would be very helpful.

  • "It is tremendous..." - Bill Gardiner

    Just discovered the Christy site and it is tremendous...!
    congrats on a monumental effort...

  • "Delighted ..." - Peter Morris

    Delighted to find your most informative website. Sadly, I never heard June Christy perform live but I've collected her LPs since the late 1970s. In my opinion, she is one of the great interpreters of the American songbook. I was pleased to see that the authors of the latest Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD rate her very highly and have given `Something Cool' their special accolade of a crown and four stars. I wrote to June in the early 80s and received a brief, but charming note which is now framed.

  • "For 50 years.. ..." - John Lincoln

    just keep it up...junie is my favorite and has been for 50 years...

  • "A fan from Israel" - Boris Lavitt

    About 50 years ago I remember listening to June Christy - "Four Months, Three weeks...." I was born in Leningrad but now live in Israel. I really like your Christy site.

  • Pittsburgh Pa. - Bill Gardiner

    just discovered the Christy site and it is tremendous...! congrats on a monumental effort...

  • Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD - Peter Morris

    Delighted to find your most informative website. Sadly, I never heard June Christy perform live but I've collected her LPs since the late 1970s. In my opinion, she is one of the great interpreters of the American songbook. I was pleased to see that the authors of the latest Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD rate her very highly and have given `Something Cool' their special accolade of a crown and four stars. I wrote to June in the early 80s and received a brief, but charming note which is now framed.

  • Lockhart, Texas - Mike McGregor

    Thank you for putting up the very interesting and attractive June Christy web site. A family friend gave me a copy of "Something Cool" when I was in college in the 1960s (which I found myself listening to regularly), and I was a stone Kenton fan in those days, too. Still am.

  • Montrose Scotland - Doug Stenzel

    Thanks for the memories. I just did a google search and came across your web site. I was listening to one of my Christy CD'S and thought I would do a search. I've been a Christy fan since my teens when I first hear Something Cool played on the radio. I only saw her perform live once - I was stationed in Germany back in 58 and was fortunate to get tickets to see her in Hamburg that year. I know there was a June Christy documentary shown on British TV back in 82. You don't happen to know how one could get a copy of that, or any other video of her? Again, thanks for creating the web page - you made my day.

  • Dayton, OH - Allen Partin

    Thanks for the website. I am enjoying it. I am 71 years old and have been a long-time Christy fan.

  • It is great... - Justine Eggers

    I stumbled across you website on June Christy - it is great.

  • Waiting patiently... - Michael McVay

    I love your website and am very impressed with all of the information you have amassed. June Christy is without a doubt my favorite singer. Her voice and the song arrangements fit perfectly to create moods unequalled by anyone else. I no longer own a record player, and have been waiting patiently for her remaining Capitol albums to be issued on CD. I was elated when Something Cool was reissued in the original track order, and when Recalls Those Kenton Days finally appeared. Have you heard any news about reissuing The Cool School or This Time of Year in their entirety? I am tired of trying to piece together these albums from miscellaneous compilations. Thanks for the website.

  • Victoria, BC - Carol S.

    Thank you for your excellent June Christy site...It's very useful...

  • CAMBRIA, CALIFORNIA - GEORGE R OBERHOLTZER

    Thanks for the effort of making June Christy continue to live in the memories of those of us who admired her talents.

  • Australian memories - Maurice Cutler

    In reading the comments by others, it seems I wasn't the only teenage fan of June Christy in the mid 1950's.   I wasn't able to find anyone in the memories section who remembers June's visit to Australia at that time.  This is particularly frustating for me, because as a young Australian reporter for the United Press news agency I managed to talk my boss into allowing me to interview June, one of my musical heroes (I got to Frank Sinatra about a year or so later).   But for the life of me I can't recall anything about the interview except that Miss Christy was extremely gracious and tolerant of a very young reporter.  I can still see in my mind's eye the small private hotel at Rushcutters Bay where she was staying and where she asked me to come to do the interview.  Unfortunately it was in the days before tape recorders became standard equipment for journalists and my notes of the interview have disappeared over the years.   Another frustration is that I can not recall the circumstances of her visit.  I have read that she did tour Australia with the Kenton band.  But as a great admirer of Stan I can't recall him performing at that time.  Perhaps there are some Aussie visitors to the site who can fill us in on the details of June's visit to Sydney in 1955 or early 1956.

  • June was absolutely the greatest ! - Budd Haus

    June was absolutely the greatest ! So nice of you to take the time and energy, and no doubt money to set up a site !----I am remiss in regathering all the stuff I used to have of hers. Saw her a few times with Kenton . I think she was engaged to Cooper the first time and he let me take her to dinner in Morgantown W.Va. at the Cheat Lake Supper Club one night about 1946 0r 7, or maybe 8. I'm not sure. Actually, it was with me and a couple of other fans , most of us veterans, but she was game, and probably beat after the show. Big time ! ----Whatever really happened to her, her illness and all ? What a shame ! And Annie and Keely and Jackie and Anita are still going. I think that I saw her in Wheeling one time too, after she married Cooper. What happened to that marriage ? At age 74 I've got to get back on the stick and bring my collection up-to-date.-----Thanks again for your interest and devotion,-----sooo much .

  • Another Kenton alumnus - Jason A. Gottlieb

    Stumbled on your web site while looking for some news on the passing of Bill Perkins, another Kenton alumnus. I was just talking to him about her about 4 weeks ago as we live near each other and he played frequently in the L.A. area. Thank you for the site...it beings back old fond memories.

  • Greatest song ever sung - Doug Stenzel

    I've been a Christy fan since I first heard and fell in love with the greatest song ever sung - Something Cool - back in the mid 50's. A few years later, as a young sailor stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing June Christy in person. The Jazz West Coast Show played at a theatre in Hamburg in early 1958 and I was able to get off work and travel to that still somewhat war-torn city and hear June Christy sing. What a treat. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. She finished off her performance with Something Cool, which really made my day.

  • Those were the really good days - Tom Honer

    I truly enjoyed reading the information on the web page. I recently bought "Something Cool" on CD. I had the album years back but lost it. When in the Navy, 1954-58, I began to listen to her music and fell in love with her and her music. Those were the really good days, Christy, Chris Connor, Howard Rumsey and the Lighthouse All Stars, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Kenton, Shelly Mann and on and on. I was just 17 in 1954 and I know my fellow Navy buddies weren't as interested in this music as I was, but they had to hear it...I played it at my bunk daily. Again, thanks for giving me the information I needed to know. I wasn't certain of her death and when it had occured.

  • On old 78s - WILL TREE

    Hi Jim, I have just found your site and think it's A OK I have been a fan of J.C. since hearing her on old 78s and Think I may have a few in the loft (every thing seems to end up there) I was bidding on Ebay a while back for a J.C. LP but did not get a message to say I had been out bid. On this album was a lovely track " Lazy Afternoon" I do not remember what the album was called. can you help please ? I live in Rochester (Medway) Kent and some years ago We had Stan Kenton big band visit.

  • An unbelievably outstanding find - Marjorie Park

    What an unbelievably outstanding find. My hubby introduced me to her so many, many years ago and I knew at first sight why he had been in love with her. We were all of the same vintage and we truly mourned when we learned of her passing. My only experience of seeing her performing in person was at a club east of New Orleans in the mid 50's. We had the unexpected pleasure of seeing the complete show twice in a row as she repeated the performance for a group of college kids who drove in from Baton Rouge and missed most of the first one because of extremely bad weather and traffic. Quite a lady! I play her LP's often. We miss her. Thank you so much for making this site possible.

  • The swell web site - Kevin MacManus

    Thanks for the swell web site on my favorite singer. I'm a new June fan, having just discovered her 9 years ago. I think I have most of her albums now. Are the Capitol album covers as depicted on your web site in chronological order? The "Something Broadway..." album sleeve has references to albums done in 1965, so I guess this was done in '65? The stereo version of "Something Cool" was the last (Capitol) thing she did, bookending her career? 1966? Thanks again for giving June a web presence.

  • Nice page - Joseph Mullin

    A really nice page of Miss Christy, Thank you Jim. Nice work and all the best to you.




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