Ann Baker (singer)

Ann Baker
Background information
Also known asAnna Beatrice Baker Wagner
Born(1915-08-21)August 21, 1915
Washington, Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 29, 1999(1999-08-29) (aged 84)
Charleston, West Virginia
GenresJazz
OccupationSinger

Ann Baker (August 21, 1915 – August 29, 1999) was an American jazz singer. Baker was discovered by Louie Armstrong and played with his band on Broadway. She is best known for her time spent as a member of Billy Eckstine's band, "The Dream Band" where she performed with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis and Art Blakey.

She retired in Charleston, West Virginia, where she was known as the "First Lady of Jazz". Bob Hope once told an interviewer his favorite jazz singer was "Little ol' Ann Baker." In 2008, Baker was inducted into the West Virginia Musician Hall of Fame.