Biography
A legendary figure in New Orleans jazz, the singer Germaine Potter Bazzle (born March 28, 1932 in New Orleans) has never achieved commensurate recognition nationally and internationally. Her distinctive voice may be considered a jazz counterpart to the better known R&B artist Irma Thomas.
Bazzle's parents were both piano players. After completing her studies at the Xavier University of Louisiana , she worked as a teacher, primarily of young girls in choir and music appreciation at Xavier Prep., in addition to playing bass in traditional jazz bands. Staying close to home, she also sang regularly on Sundays with the Saint Louis Catholic Choir.
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Her influences included Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billy Eckstein, Her repertoire includes classic jazz, American popular songs, show tunes, and the music of Duke Ellington. Her discography is limited and she appears mostly in compilations with many jazz greats and local legends. The album "Standing Ovation" was released under her own name, and she led her own band "Gemaine Bazzle & Friends." In 2007 she was part of the faculty at the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, along with other Crescent City music icons.
A discography is available on her Wikipedia page (in German).
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.