Lisa, I was directed here by a friend on Facebook who had written a lovely post paying tribute to your aunt. When I first discovered her music 8 or so years ago nearly all of her albums were out of print. I heard them on a blog site and instantly fell in love. She immediately became one of my favorite vocalists and I rarely fall so hard and so fast for anyone. I have since bought every one of her CDs as they've become available again. I just want you to know that there is a large and enthusiastic audience for Beverly's music. She was a wonderful musician, an incredible talent, and, as is apparent in this video, a charming woman.
I discovered her while watching tv and saw a commercial for Lincoln Mercury cars and they were playing her in the background the song she was singing was "It's a Most Unusual Day" I loved the song and had to find it and I did and I feel as though I have uncovered a true jazz treasure. I actually thought the singer could have been Ella F.
I heard the ad from another room initially, the piano comp was great but her soft beautiful phrasing captured me. It took me a few days to track her down, I was amazed I'd never heard of her, I worked in a club a block from where she passed and knew many older musicians who must have known her.. I was saddened when I read her Bio., she was a beautiful vocalist and seemed comfortable in the vid. Hefner was the one who seemed anxious.. I got to the Village in the mid '70's. I'm sorry she wasn't still with us....very sad!
@@kareyhicks I thought it was Blossom Dearie. Now that I've "discovered" her, I can hear Ella, Anita, and June in her too! And if you're interested in a similarly obscure but delightful 50's singer, check out Gloria Wood!
Every now and then I would hear her sing on the Jazz station. And now you can hear her on a TV commercial. I read her bio and was shocked and sadden. She's not the first, Susan Mc Corkle etc. This is a great video of her buttery sounding voice. Fun to hear Heff in there too.
I'd never heard of her until I read a reference to her a few minutes ago. What a talent! And what a sad sad loss. I'm going on a Beverly Kenney listening kick indefinitely. Why isn't this woman written about? I know, she was only 28 when she died, but I would have expected Will Friedwald to have written about her.
If it were not for a commercial that used Bev Kenney's version of "A MOST UNUSUAL DAY", I, more than likely, wouldn't have ever heard of her; so, I'm very grateful for that commercial. Interestingly, I haven't a clue what product was being promoted, but the sound of her voice is absolutely unforgettable. It was hearing her on the commercial, I first thought, Billie Holiday. So, imagine my very pleasant surprise to learn that it was the jazz offering of the musical talent... Beverly Kenney. A talent, who in my opinion, at 28 years young, left this world way too soon.
The commercial is why I’m here also...and like you I don’t have a clue what they were selling...but that voice. How have I gone so long without ever hearing of this lady? What a talent.
I too for the same reason am here. It’s the voice, what a voice. I didn’t know what the product in the commercial was either. She’s absolutely mesmerizing. Gone way too soon.
I also heard the Lincoln commercial and I wondered who that was. I was so surprised I had never heard of her. She is my new golden treasure of audible pleasure. So tragic her passing.
It's amazing to see this, probably the only film footage that exists of the great Beverly Kenney. I've been listening to all of her music lately (it's all been reissued on a pair of two-CD sets by Fresh Sound) and thoroughly enjoying her. I put her name on You Tube on a lark and there she was! Thanks so much for posting this.
According to a relatively long bio of her on the internet, there are three film recordings of her known, but this is the only one publicly available. The author of that bio wrote he personally saw the second one though, I believe her appearance on Steve Allen show.
She has such a sweet, melancholy quality, and a pure, beautiful voice. Reminds me of Jeri Southern, about the highest praise I can give a jazz singer. Really a remarkable performer, I'm so sorry to hear how she passed. What a huge pity.
In the late 80's I was living in West Village, NYC. Jonathan Schwartz came on the radio & he was excited. That weekend he had found a Beverly Kenney album at a yard sale - played Don't Try to Change Me Now & Can't Get Out of This Mood. I fell in love with BK but her stuff wasn't out on CD yet so I taped it from the radio & memorized the words. I'm a singer & I'm still waiting to sing them. Until today, I had never seen her perform & thought I never would, so thankyouthankyouthankyou ChinneChin!
About 8 or 9 years ago, before the big Napster legal issues, there was a number of blogs with uploaded LPs that could be downloaded. I found Beverly Kenney on one of those sites and downloaded all of her albums because nothing was in print. I love them so much that when they came out on CD again, I went ahead and bought them, part to assuage my guilt at having gotten them for free and in part for the sheer joy of knowing that I could actually purchase a Beverly Kenney CD (or 6).
I don't know why some commentators are calling Hef "boorish" - maybe because he said Beverly hadn't hit it in a big way yet? - which is perfectly true, if you consider the trajectory of her career at the moment of the filming - yes, she had released well-received albums & was known but it was mostly to jazz aficionados - Also I'm sure almost all the patter was rehearsed - so anything she found objectionable could have been talked over & taken out beforehand. I think old Hef seems nice to her- respectful and attentive & certainly loving her voice.
Slang existed, especially among the jazz set and beatniks. But slang in general had yet to be as pervasive in conversation as it would become. Social propriety still mattered then.
I heard her voice for the first time on Rob Bamberger's 'Hot Jazz Saturday Night' last night. She had a great voice, was a great song stylist, and had marvelous phrasing. Her life makes one think one has to suffer to achieve great art. But, I'm sure that is not true for all artists. As far as her not 'having made it'. She was 28 when she died and had six albums. That seems to me practically a meteoric rise.
such a rare piece of film! i've been her fan for 35 years & i thought i'd never get to see her in action. she's mesmerizing. i know she was on steve allen show, but i guess there is no existing footage. thank you for posting this gem.
Though she didn't sing "It's A Most Unusual Day" (her song in the 2021 Lincoln commercial) here, the 1957 album she recorded it for was called... Beverly Kenney Sings for Playboys. And here, shortly before dying by suicide, she sang for Mr. Playboy himself. How cool. 😎
What an absolute treasure to be able to see this. I was researching Beverly Kenney before I bought CD's and this illustrates how good she was far better than any written review. Thank you.
WOW! Thanks so much for posting this! I love Beverly Kenney and never saw any footage until today ! My Very Best Wishes to you, GeeLisa1000, from Thomas in Germany.
I'm bewitched. Her beautiful, sensitive voice and that deep melancholy that would eventually lead to tragedy. I'm In love for life. What a shame there is no more footage of her. Hefner, however, is a creep.
Ironically it was her catholicism that may have driven her to suicide. Her parents did not approve of her choice of career, and int he days before her suicide she reportedly wrote long and anguished letters to her parents. We don't know what was in them though because her mother destroyed them, and didn't allow talk of her in the family after she committed suicide.
second day of nearly not stop listening -and looking at the very first moving image of beverly i've ever seen ... which happen probably to be the very last images of her short happy/tragic life ... hey mamma, look at me now, nearly sixty and still in love withe the same blonde girl ... singin' her life out with such lightness .... even peggy lee could not do it ... and billie holiday surely NEVER could take life (and a song) with such happy/sad lightness ...
Beverly had a sweet, warm voice. Accessible. Underrated. She was a troubled soul. Overdosed at age 28 on pills and alcohol. I have a feeling she struggled with depression. You can hear it in her voice. Thanks for posting. It is nice to see hasn't been forgotten.
Mildred Bailey was Native American with a Caucasian father. As for Bing Crosby,the man never improvised a day in his life.He was a POPULAR SINGER.There were several good white Jazz singers, the vast majority female.Jerri Winters,Thelma Gracen, June Christy(who was a brilliant story teller)Mary Ann McCall,Pinky Winters,Irene Kral & Jacky Cain. They all had beautiful instruments and acknowledged and respected the creators of the artform they chose to interpret. They all adored Sarah and Billie.
Truth was that 1960 to maybe 1963 was the apogee of jazz with regards to popular appeal, after which it was largely been disgarded. I love Beverly Kenney's recordings. I think she would have been better known and appreciated had she been performing at a time when her type of music was more in line with public taste.
The "apogee" of jazz was WAY before 1960-63. You know an apogee is the peak, right? You are literally saying here that she died BEFORE jazz became more popular!
@@mlmanville8174 in terms of popularity, you are certainly correct. But by the late 50"s early 60"s jazz had reached a level of maturity and quality of artistry that at least I haven't seen since. There was still a large though not predominant audience for the music. Beverly Kenney was part of a "second" generation of jazz musicians who grew up with music. And unfortunately in my mind, was to be soon discarded.
Shared this New Year's by a dear Facebook friend in California Jerry H. [I responded] One of my favorite humorous jazz standards. A favorite line: I guess I'll go through life, just catching colds and missing trains . . . everything happens to me. I remember that she died young (28) after trying to commit suicide a few times -- in long ago 1960, around the time this b&w 'kinescope' was made. [Wonder if the emptiness she felt in Hef's presence contributed?] Nice of him to give her a chance on his show, since even then as he implied, she was little known and deserved a wider audience. She sang beautifully. Thanks Chinnechin for sharing. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
I tried to license the Steve Allen footage of Beverly Kenney for a project I was working on. The film library wanted to charge me twice my projected profit. In their catalog they describe her as "awful singer" or some such. I'm sure Steve woulda loved that. This is much better footage BTW
Yearly subscriptions to Down Beat & Playboy were only $3.50 & $5.00 so I had both. I also remember going down to the Playboy office building on East Ohio Ave to buy a pair of Playboy cuff links ($5.00) The receptionist was a Playboy Playmate. Nat Hentoff the Down Beat critic was young & good looking like Hef & he also smoked a pipe & & I remember seeing him & Hef standing together many times listening to & digging the featured jazz musician, with their pipes in their mouths on several shows.
Beverly Kenney was smoother than silk! Hugh did make a mistake by saying that she "hadn't made it in a big way yet". Mr. Hefner is making the biggest mistake by the lifestyle he is choosing. Everybody out there should listen to Beverly regularly,while being aware of the tragic ending of her life. Who is the nice looking woman seated behind Mr. Hefner? I think I've seen her before. She was touched by "Everything happens to me". Richard Rhoden
Even in Japan, vocal connoisseurs will never forget the "phantom beautiful singer". It seems that the number of new "Beverly believers" is also increasing. I can't believe that such a video of her remains...... Her lovely tongue-in-cheek singing voice is unmistakably her. Each of the six album covers released during his lifetime had different facial expressions and hairstyles, and he looked like a "different person Thailand" in some ways, but when you look at this video, you will be surprised to see that he was a "good person" full of dignity and elegance that can be used even today. How about a particularly seductive and piercing gaze? In the video, "Mountain Greenery" (4:44), which is not included in the official album, is very cute. As for her death, in Japan, it has been said that she was burned to death in a hotel fire, and the date of death is unknown. However, the search has progressed recently, and it was found that on the night of April 13, 1960, he left a suicide note and committed suicide by drinking a large amount of sleeping pills and alcohol. He was 28 years old. If this video is in 1960, it is right before death! What happened to her? …… Her beauty alone would have captured the hearts of men with a number of stars, and she would have been the object of jealousy of many women, and she would have been promised a glorious life...... I can only assume that a gust of wind on a spring night took her away to "eternal elegance...... Tears, tears......
I would suggest that you look into Richard Sudhalter's book: "Lost Chords," or Randy Sandke's book "Where the Light and Dark Folk Meet." Both men were fine cornetists and insightful writers. They respect black achievements and also break down old cliches about the music.
I make a date for golf, and you can bet your life it rains I try to throw a party, and the guy downstairs complains I guess I'll go through life, just catching colds and missing trains Everything happens to me I never miss a thing. I've had the measles and the mumps And every time I play an ace, my partner always trumps I guess I'm just a fool, who never looks before she jumps Everything happens to me At first, my heart thought you might break this jinx for me That love would turn the trick to end despair But now I just can't fool this head that thinks for me And I’ve mortgaged all my castles in the air I've telegraphed and phoned, I sent an air mail special too Your answer was goodbye, there was even postage due I fell in love just once, and then it had to be with you Everything happens to me
Jazz was created from the soul,heart,spirit and essence of the African-American people.It was a gift given to us from the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS as an outlet for self-expression from enslavement,injustice,oppression,hatred and fear.The very essence of the artform is improvisation& the MUJAZA which is unique to the DNA and history of the African people.There were many great white musicians who played this music with respect & reverence acknowledging it's creators and their struggle for freedom.
LOL, that’s Afrocentric nonsense. There is nothing special about the black race, no special gifts given to them by the gods - rather the contrary. They’ve never had a monopoly on rhythm or soul, and have never invented any musical style completely on their own, outside of the African bush. And there are no “African-Americans”, only displaced Africans in America. Americans are of white European origin.
Oh please, stop harping on about race, ffs. One doesn't have to know anything about the history of any music form to enjoy and create it. Stop putting ridiculous expectations on other people and just let everyone and anyone enjoy this great music in whatever way they wish.
Jim Stark I apologize. Hugh Hefner never imagined what women he was attracted to looked like naked. Why would I ever think that? What ever could have given me that idea? Thanks sincerely for correcting me and saving Mr Hefner's reputation.
fosbury68 i wonder if he was angry because when she looked at him she mentioned measles and the mumps i wonder if one of the kids had it and she was teasing
Who wouldn't? She was very, very beautiful. And one of those people you can see is beautiful inside and out within just a second of seeing her on film, so I can't imagine what sort of impression she made in person.
Man, since this is 1960, and she'd already made albums with a variety of name artists since the early '50s, she must have been less than thrilled with Hefner's opening comment, "...hasn't really made it in a big way yet.." What a way to introduce an artist!! Even if it may have been true (I'm not intimately familiar with Kenney's fame or lack thereof), IMO that's not something to mention-- The comment struck me as horrid, and I can only imagine what it must have taken for Kenney to maintain her composure, much less start singing a few seconds later!
Totally in agreement with you. It's not an appropriate intro for anyone. Less is more. Her voice speaks for itself. She's amazing. Tragically she died at 28 of a supposed overdose. A spectacular jazzzzz voice.
She'd made six albums, and as far as I know, was in no danger of being dropped by her record company. I'd say that within the definition of a jazz singer at the time, she had done quite well!
I doubt Beverly took offense to that comment, you certainly shouldn’t. Hefner meant that Bevery was still young and up and coming. Successful in her niche, but not yet a household name. That’s what “make it in a big way” means. Let’s not forget that she was a young jazz talent being promoted here.
You comments can stand as they are. NO more from me. You have a choice to think as you do now or enlighten yourself by reading further. Anyone who reads this exchange should go to the source books I mentioned. Great books.--read, then make up their minds. Good day, all.
I will not begrudge you your right to believe as you wish, and chose not for this discussion to descend into vitriol and misunderstanding. Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Rock & Roll, Funk, Hip Hop, GoGo and all the rest are cultural contributions and artistic creations of the African American people of which we are proud. We acknowledge the contributions of all others who choose or chose to interpret and embrace our Artforms, but we shall always remain the owners and guardians of our Art.
If you listen to more of her works its easy to hear that her influences included Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day. Maybe a little TOO easy. That could be why she didn't achieve larger fame.
Can you post Can't Get Out of This Mood? I just went on Amazon and bought Beverly Kenney, Complete Royal Roost Recordings (Sings for Johnny Smith/Come Swing With Me/Sings With Jimmy Jones and the Basie-ites) - 52 songs for $20.17, if you're interested. I'll try to upload them to RUclips, when I learn how to...
You misconstrued my posting.It's not about segregation,it's about historical accuracy.Miss Holiday's gift was her ability to translate the essence of her art into a universality that resonated to the core of the human spirit. Her influence on all female jazz singers of the day and now was pervasive.Most non African-American singers aspiring to this ethnic artform acknowledged their debt to Black culture generally and to Ms. Holiday specifically.Most tried to emulate her.This is just for clarity.
It is not fact. Jazz is not simply black music. There was no jazz in Africa, nor any place black people went except America--it was created due to the mixture of cultures here. Jazz is the music of those who enjoy it. Period. Your incredible ignorance of Mildred Bailey and Connee Boswell speaks for itself. BY the way, did you know that Duke Ellington considered Bing Crosby the finest jazz singer of his time? He tried to hire Crosby for his band, but couldn't afford him.
I did. I'm Beverly's niece. So glad that so many of you are jazzed by this.
Lisa Guide omg!are you really am? Soooo cool!!
I would have never guessed by this video that she had problems.
Lisa, I was directed here by a friend on Facebook who had written a lovely post paying tribute to your aunt. When I first discovered her music 8 or so years ago nearly all of her albums were out of print. I heard them on a blog site and instantly fell in love. She immediately became one of my favorite vocalists and I rarely fall so hard and so fast for anyone. I have since bought every one of her CDs as they've become available again. I just want you to know that there is a large and enthusiastic audience for Beverly's music. She was a wonderful musician, an incredible talent, and, as is apparent in this video, a charming woman.
She sound so natural, swinging phrasing, lovely voice. Such a loss! Us wannabe-jazz-singers love her :)
Your aunt was a **great** Jazz singer.
Her jazz feel was smooth and natural...so instinctive...phrasing so personal. She died a matter of months after the video. Astounding tragedy.
You can see her fragility. Terrible loss. Terrible.
Suicidio?
I love her - everything happens to me - I think is the *best* rendition I've heard (and Chet Baker, Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald covered it)
I discovered her while watching tv and saw a commercial for Lincoln Mercury cars and they were playing her in the background the song she was singing was "It's a Most Unusual Day" I loved the song and had to find it and I did and I feel as though I have uncovered a true jazz treasure. I actually thought the singer could have been Ella F.
Saw the same commercial... I thought it was Billie Holiday...lol
Yep, same hear...I cannot believe I never heard of her until now. She is Fantastic!
I heard the ad from another room initially, the piano comp was great but her soft beautiful phrasing captured me. It took me a few days to track her down, I was amazed I'd never heard of her, I worked in a club a block from where she passed and knew many older musicians who must have known her.. I was saddened when I read her Bio., she was a beautiful vocalist and seemed comfortable in the vid. Hefner was the one who seemed anxious.. I got to the Village in the mid '70's. I'm sorry she wasn't still with us....very sad!
@@kareyhicks I thought it was Blossom Dearie. Now that I've "discovered" her, I can hear Ella, Anita, and June in her too! And if you're interested in a similarly obscure but delightful 50's singer, check out Gloria Wood!
Same. I just said, "Wow, who IS that?!" Had to look up that song, to see if that version was on the internet. Top tier talent, a real treasure.
Sad that Miss Sweetness died at just 28. She remains hugely popular in Japan. Kudos to them for good taste.
Every now and then I would hear her sing on the Jazz station. And now you can hear her on a TV commercial. I read her bio and was shocked and sadden. She's not the first, Susan Mc Corkle etc. This is a great video of her buttery sounding voice. Fun to hear Heff in there too.
I'd never heard of her until I read a reference to her a few minutes ago. What a talent! And what a sad sad loss. I'm going on a Beverly Kenney listening kick indefinitely. Why isn't this woman written about? I know, she was only 28 when she died, but I would have expected Will Friedwald to have written about her.
If it were not for a commercial that used Bev Kenney's version of "A MOST UNUSUAL DAY", I, more than likely, wouldn't have ever heard of her; so, I'm very grateful for that commercial. Interestingly, I haven't a clue what product was being promoted, but the sound of her voice is absolutely unforgettable. It was hearing her on the commercial, I first thought, Billie Holiday. So, imagine my very pleasant surprise to learn that it was the jazz offering of the musical talent... Beverly Kenney. A talent, who in my opinion, at 28 years young, left this world way too soon.
The commercial is why I’m here also...and like you I don’t have a clue what they were selling...but that voice. How have I gone so long without ever hearing of this lady? What a talent.
I too for the same reason am here. It’s the voice, what a voice. I didn’t know what the product in the commercial was either. She’s absolutely mesmerizing. Gone way too soon.
I also heard the Lincoln commercial and I wondered who that was. I was so surprised I had never heard of her. She is my new golden treasure of audible pleasure. So tragic her passing.
It's amazing to see this, probably the only film footage that exists of the great Beverly Kenney. I've been listening to all of her music lately (it's all been reissued on a pair of two-CD sets by Fresh Sound) and thoroughly enjoying her. I put her name on You Tube on a lark and there she was! Thanks so much for posting this.
According to a relatively long bio of her on the internet, there are three film recordings of her known, but this is the only one publicly available. The author of that bio wrote he personally saw the second one though, I believe her appearance on Steve Allen show.
You are welcome! I am happy to know that my aunt is inspiring singers today.
Beverly was your aunt? What a wonderful thing. I'm so sorry she passed so young. I absolutely adore her. She was a treasure in every way.
This Heavy Metal though guy has tears in his eyes now. Masterful singer, the best.
She has such a sweet, melancholy quality, and a pure, beautiful voice. Reminds me of Jeri Southern, about the highest praise I can give a jazz singer. Really a remarkable performer, I'm so sorry to hear how she passed. What a huge pity.
sounds more like anita o'day
Interesting , I hear a bit of Jeri as well !
In the late 80's I was living in West Village, NYC. Jonathan Schwartz came on the radio & he was excited. That weekend he had found a Beverly Kenney album at a yard sale - played Don't Try to Change Me Now & Can't Get Out of This Mood. I fell in love with BK but her stuff wasn't out on CD yet so I taped it from the radio & memorized the words. I'm a singer & I'm still waiting to sing them. Until today, I had never seen her perform & thought I never would, so thankyouthankyouthankyou ChinneChin!
About 8 or 9 years ago, before the big Napster legal issues, there was a number of blogs with uploaded LPs that could be downloaded. I found Beverly Kenney on one of those sites and downloaded all of her albums because nothing was in print. I love them so much that when they came out on CD again, I went ahead and bought them, part to assuage my guilt at having gotten them for free and in part for the sheer joy of knowing that I could actually purchase a Beverly Kenney CD (or 6).
I was a tremendous Bev Kennery fan. A remarkable talent and a lovely soul.
Had she only been with us longer ... it's a treat to see and hear her on TV. Beverly was a favorite of Steve Allen's too.
I don't know why some commentators are calling Hef "boorish" - maybe because he said Beverly hadn't hit it in a big way yet? - which is perfectly true, if you consider the trajectory of her career at the moment of the filming - yes, she had released well-received albums & was known but it was mostly to jazz aficionados - Also I'm sure almost all the patter was rehearsed - so anything she found objectionable could have been talked over & taken out beforehand. I think old Hef seems nice to her- respectful and attentive & certainly loving her voice.
Fantastic! These are rare gems in television history and listening to the real deal of jazz artists like Beverly Kenney is to be cherished.
She had a big following, me included. Her death was a tremendous shock; show business can be really tough on sensitive souls.
That's live, folks. Absolutely fantastic.
You can tell "slang" didn't really exist back then. Everyone spoke to eloquently, and so soft. I love that.
Slang existed, especially among the jazz set and beatniks. But slang in general had yet to be as pervasive in conversation as it would become. Social propriety still mattered then.
I can't get enough of " EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME "
I heard her voice for the first time on Rob Bamberger's 'Hot Jazz Saturday Night' last night. She had a great voice, was a great song stylist, and had marvelous phrasing. Her life makes one think one has to suffer to achieve great art. But, I'm sure that is not true for all artists. As far as her not 'having made it'. She was 28 when she died and had six albums. That seems to me practically a meteoric rise.
such a rare piece of film! i've been her fan for 35 years & i thought i'd never get to see her in action. she's mesmerizing. i know she was on steve allen show, but i guess there is no existing footage. thank you for posting this gem.
Though she didn't sing "It's A Most Unusual Day" (her song in the 2021 Lincoln commercial) here, the 1957 album she recorded it for was called... Beverly Kenney Sings for Playboys. And here, shortly before dying by suicide, she sang for Mr. Playboy himself. How cool. 😎
I could listen to her forever, I wish there were more videos, her voice gives me chills 💜 she really had such a sublime & enchanting spirit.
13 April 2020: 60 years ago today, Beverly succeeded where she had failed twice before. RIP.
"Everything Happen to Me" should be her theme song. I guess she knew it.
I have seen a lincoln avaiator auto ad twice this morning with beverly singing it`s a most unusua day.l
such a pleasure to hear that magnificent voice and phrasing. Found her accidentally via Pandora. I am now a fan
Totally enchanting performer.
What an absolute treasure to be able to see this. I was researching Beverly Kenney before I bought CD's and this illustrates how good she was far better than any written review. Thank you.
Never heard her. Lovely. Absolutely.
WOW! Thanks so much for posting this! I love Beverly Kenney and never saw any footage until today ! My Very Best Wishes to you, GeeLisa1000, from Thomas in Germany.
The best and the most beautiful. MORE than had "made it" at this juncture!
It's amazing to see that. Do you have more? Thank you so much for posting.
she's so natural!!! great to see her!!
Love Beverly. Thank you
better each time ... already saw it fifteen times, at the least
Had never heard her singing the 2nd tune. Wonderful! :)
Beautiful
I'm bewitched. Her beautiful, sensitive voice and that deep melancholy that would eventually lead to tragedy. I'm In love for life. What a shame there is no more footage of her.
Hefner, however, is a creep.
Chet Baker also does a great version of Everything Happens to Me.
She's the greatest
Easy to love.
WOW thank you for this, i thought i would never see Beverly, thought there was so daved film of her. SHe looks and sounds amazing. thanks again.
Love how she makes the sign of the cross at 5:31 when she sings "bless"; a good catholic girl!
Ironically it was her catholicism that may have driven her to suicide. Her parents did not approve of her choice of career, and int he days before her suicide she reportedly wrote long and anguished letters to her parents. We don't know what was in them though because her mother destroyed them, and didn't allow talk of her in the family after she committed suicide.
@@mlmanville8174 What? What does Catholicism have to do with someone's parents not agreeing with their choice of career? Lmao
"Everything Happens to Me" written by Matt Dennis, lyrics by Thomas Adair.
Such a sad story: suicide at 28. Even in this clip she seems so sad.
Very soothing sounds for the early morning.
Seeing this it's tragic to think that she took her own life just months later.
Indeed a fascinating singer, Thx for pointing out the CD sets.
second day of nearly not stop listening -and looking at the very first moving image of beverly i've ever seen ... which happen probably to be the very last images of her short happy/tragic life ... hey mamma, look at me now, nearly sixty and still in love withe the same blonde girl ... singin' her life out with such lightness .... even peggy lee could not do it ... and billie holiday surely NEVER could take life (and a song) with such happy/sad lightness ...
Love the high note at 9:34 with such ease.
Very nice!
Beverly had a sweet, warm voice. Accessible. Underrated. She was a troubled soul. Overdosed at age 28 on pills and alcohol. I have a feeling she struggled with depression. You can hear it in her voice. Thanks for posting. It is nice to see hasn't been forgotten.
Any more clips. She was beyond greatness.
Mildred Bailey was Native American with a Caucasian father. As for Bing Crosby,the man never improvised a day in his life.He was a POPULAR SINGER.There were several good white Jazz singers, the vast majority female.Jerri Winters,Thelma Gracen, June Christy(who was a brilliant story teller)Mary Ann McCall,Pinky Winters,Irene Kral & Jacky Cain. They all had beautiful instruments and acknowledged and respected the creators of the artform they chose to interpret. They all adored Sarah and Billie.
if anyone, she sounds like the best of the white jazz singers anita o'day who paved the way to all the others in that style of phrasing
Maravilha! Voz suave... bela!
Wish she would have stayed here a little longer
Jonathan Schwartz ended up on my satellite radio in my car a few months ago. Pretty nice entertaining knowledgeable guy! I was impressed.
Jonathan Schwartz was the one who turned me on to Beverly about 30 years ago.
Wise words. Absolutely!
Gorgeous post. ‼️‼️‼️thank you❤️do any of you see a similarity between Beverly and Barbra.......I definitely do.
Truth was that 1960 to maybe 1963 was the apogee of jazz with regards to popular appeal, after which it was largely been disgarded. I love Beverly Kenney's recordings. I think she would have been better known and appreciated had she been performing at a time when her type of music was more in line with public taste.
The "apogee" of jazz was WAY before 1960-63. You know an apogee is the peak, right? You are literally saying here that she died BEFORE jazz became more popular!
@@mlmanville8174 in terms of popularity, you are certainly correct. But by the late 50"s early 60"s jazz had reached a level of maturity and quality of artistry that at least I haven't seen since. There was still a large though not predominant audience for the music. Beverly Kenney was part of a "second" generation of jazz
musicians who grew up with music. And unfortunately in my mind, was to be soon discarded.
Shared this New Year's by a dear Facebook friend in California Jerry H. [I responded]
One of my favorite humorous jazz standards. A favorite line: I guess I'll go through life, just catching colds and missing trains . . . everything happens to me.
I remember that she died young (28) after trying to commit suicide a few times -- in long ago 1960, around the time this b&w 'kinescope' was made. [Wonder if the emptiness she felt in Hef's presence contributed?] Nice of him to give her a chance on his show, since even then as he implied, she was little known and deserved a wider audience. She sang beautifully.
Thanks Chinnechin for sharing. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
Wow! Thanx for posting!
i love her !!!!!!!
So young, lost forever, what a loss..........
lovery voice! thanx.
Everything Happens To Me is the name of the first song.
I tried to license the Steve Allen footage of Beverly Kenney for a project I was working on. The film library wanted to charge me twice my projected profit. In their catalog they describe her as "awful singer" or some such. I'm sure Steve woulda loved that. This is much better footage BTW
Elegance defined ✨
How many of today's so called singers could just sit down and sing this well.
Yearly subscriptions to Down Beat & Playboy were only $3.50 & $5.00 so I had both. I also remember going down to the Playboy office building on East Ohio Ave to buy a pair of Playboy cuff links ($5.00) The receptionist was a Playboy Playmate. Nat Hentoff the Down Beat critic was young & good looking like Hef & he also smoked a pipe & & I remember seeing him & Hef standing together many times listening to & digging the featured jazz musician, with their pipes in their mouths on several shows.
Fragile. Astounding.
Charming. Amy Winehouse comes to mind. Hefner joining in is charming. Even though he's boorish.
Never thought about the Amy Winehouse analog before this comment. thank you.
I think I have seen the lady in the back somewhere before. She looks like the girl shown on the album of Rolland Hanna`s "Easy to love".
Beverly Kenney was smoother than silk! Hugh did make a mistake by saying that she "hadn't made it in a big way yet". Mr. Hefner is making the biggest mistake by the lifestyle he is choosing. Everybody out there should listen to Beverly regularly,while being aware of the tragic ending of her life. Who is the nice looking woman seated behind Mr. Hefner? I think I've seen her before. She was touched by "Everything happens to me". Richard Rhoden
I swear to God but she is my great cousin shes my grandmas cousin!!!!!
Reminds me of Blossom Dearie.
Even a touch of Billie Holiday...a cross between Blossom and Billie.
Arturo, and far better than either.
Even in Japan, vocal connoisseurs will never forget the "phantom beautiful singer". It seems that the number of new "Beverly believers" is also increasing. I can't believe that such a video of her remains......
Her lovely tongue-in-cheek singing voice is unmistakably her. Each of the six album covers released during his lifetime had different facial expressions and hairstyles, and he looked like a "different person Thailand" in some ways, but when you look at this video, you will be surprised to see that he was a "good person" full of dignity and elegance that can be used even today.
How about a particularly seductive and piercing gaze? In the video, "Mountain Greenery" (4:44), which is not included in the official album, is very cute. As for her death, in Japan, it has been said that she was burned to death in a hotel fire, and the date of death is unknown. However, the search has progressed recently, and it was found that on the night of April 13, 1960, he left a suicide note and committed suicide by drinking a large amount of sleeping pills and alcohol. He was 28 years old.
If this video is in 1960, it is right before death! What happened to her? …… Her beauty alone would have captured the hearts of men with a number of stars, and she would have been the object of jealousy of many women, and she would have been promised a glorious life...... I can only assume that a gust of wind on a spring night took her away to "eternal elegance...... Tears, tears......
extraordinary
She reminds me of Blossom Dearie.
... true ! A little girl voice.
Thank you for bringing my attention to my keystroke error. Please have a peaceful day.
I would suggest that you look into Richard Sudhalter's book: "Lost Chords," or Randy Sandke's book "Where the Light and Dark Folk Meet." Both men were fine cornetists and insightful writers. They respect black achievements and also break down old cliches about the music.
PhillyRich, Sudhalter's book is one of the finest pieces of literature about American musical culture ever written.
I make a date for golf, and you can bet your life it rains
I try to throw a party, and the guy downstairs complains
I guess I'll go through life, just catching colds and missing trains
Everything happens to me
I never miss a thing. I've had the measles and the mumps
And every time I play an ace, my partner always trumps
I guess I'm just a fool, who never looks before she jumps
Everything happens to me
At first, my heart thought you might break this jinx for me
That love would turn the trick to end despair
But now I just can't fool this head that thinks for me
And I’ve mortgaged all my castles in the air
I've telegraphed and phoned, I sent an air mail special too
Your answer was goodbye, there was even postage due
I fell in love just once, and then it had to be with you
Everything happens to me
Thanks for taking the time to share the lyrics, starterchannel.
Jazz was created from the soul,heart,spirit and essence of the African-American people.It was a gift given to us from the CREATOR OF ALL THINGS as an outlet for self-expression from enslavement,injustice,oppression,hatred and fear.The very essence of the artform is improvisation& the MUJAZA which is unique to the DNA and history of the African people.There were many great white musicians who played this music with respect & reverence acknowledging it's creators and their struggle for freedom.
LOL, that’s Afrocentric nonsense. There is nothing special about the black race, no special gifts given to them by the gods - rather the contrary. They’ve never had a monopoly on rhythm or soul, and have never invented any musical style completely on their own, outside of the African bush.
And there are no “African-Americans”, only displaced Africans in America. Americans are of white European origin.
Oh please, stop harping on about race, ffs. One doesn't have to know anything about the history of any music form to enjoy and create it. Stop putting ridiculous expectations on other people and just let everyone and anyone enjoy this great music in whatever way they wish.
pretty～☆彡
You are welcome Thomas!
Hugh's expression says "I wonder what she looks like naked?"
Jim Stark I apologize. Hugh Hefner never imagined what women he was attracted to looked like naked. Why would I ever think that? What ever could have given me that idea? Thanks sincerely for correcting me and saving Mr Hefner's reputation.
fosbury68 i wonder if he was angry because when she looked at him she mentioned measles and the mumps i wonder if one of the kids had it and she was teasing
That's exactly what he's thinking!!
@Jim Stark "Nice Guys" existed in all generations...
Who wouldn't? She was very, very beautiful. And one of those people you can see is beautiful inside and out within just a second of seeing her on film, so I can't imagine what sort of impression she made in person.
Man, since this is 1960, and she'd already made albums with a variety of name artists since the early '50s, she must have been less than thrilled with Hefner's opening comment, "...hasn't really made it in a big way yet.." What a way to introduce an artist!! Even if it may have been true (I'm not intimately familiar with Kenney's fame or lack thereof), IMO that's not something to mention-- The comment struck me as horrid, and I can only imagine what it must have taken for Kenney to maintain her composure, much less start singing a few seconds later!
Totally in agreement with you. It's not an appropriate intro for anyone. Less is more. Her voice speaks for itself. She's amazing. Tragically she died at 28 of a supposed overdose. A spectacular jazzzzz voice.
She'd made six albums, and as far as I know, was in no danger of being dropped by her record company. I'd say that within the definition of a jazz singer at the time, she had done quite well!
I doubt Beverly took offense to that comment, you certainly shouldn’t. Hefner meant that Bevery was still young and up and coming. Successful in her niche, but not yet a household name. That’s what “make it in a big way” means. Let’s not forget that she was a young jazz talent being promoted here.
Thank you ! Beverly Kenny is in the top category of all singers ! I heard that , sadly , she committed suicide - hope this isn't true -
The vocal is live (wonderfully) but the accompaniment is prerecorded, hence their running out of music on "Makin Whoopie".
You comments can stand as they are. NO more from me. You have a choice to think as you do now or enlighten yourself by reading further. Anyone who reads this exchange should go to the source books I mentioned. Great books.--read, then make up their minds. Good day, all.
A fabulous voice, phrasing, etc. Too bad her life was so short. But Hef is just so creepy leering at her the entire time.
Let's be honest...Hef was creepy in general👍
I will not begrudge you your right to believe as you wish, and chose not for this discussion to descend into vitriol and misunderstanding. Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Rock & Roll, Funk, Hip Hop, GoGo and all the rest are cultural contributions and artistic creations of the African American people of which we are proud. We acknowledge the contributions of all others who choose or chose to interpret and embrace our Artforms, but we shall always remain the owners and guardians of our Art.
rip mr hefner
she sounds similar to anita o'day with the phrasing and style
If you listen to more of her works its easy to hear that her influences included Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, Ella Fitzgerald and Anita O'Day. Maybe a little TOO easy. That could be why she didn't achieve larger fame.
For another unknown but great white female jazz singer from that era check out Gloria Wood. ("Hey Bellboy").
I came here for Beverly, but found myself massively distracted by what a **creeper!** Hugh Hefner is in this bit! Wow!
What a loss...
Can you post Can't Get Out of This Mood? I just went on Amazon and bought Beverly Kenney, Complete Royal Roost Recordings (Sings for Johnny Smith/Come Swing With Me/Sings With Jimmy Jones and the Basie-ites) - 52 songs for $20.17, if you're interested. I'll try to upload them to RUclips, when I learn how to...
You misconstrued my posting.It's not about segregation,it's about historical accuracy.Miss Holiday's gift was her ability to translate the essence of her art into a universality that resonated to the core of the human spirit. Her influence on all female jazz singers of the day and now was pervasive.Most non African-American singers aspiring to this ethnic artform acknowledged their debt to Black culture generally and to Ms. Holiday specifically.Most tried to emulate her.This is just for clarity.
any clue who is backing her up?
It is not fact. Jazz is not simply black music. There was no jazz in Africa, nor any place black people went except America--it was created due to the mixture of cultures here. Jazz is the music of those who enjoy it. Period.
Your incredible ignorance of Mildred Bailey and Connee Boswell speaks for itself.
BY the way, did you know that Duke Ellington considered Bing Crosby the finest jazz singer of his time? He tried to hire Crosby for his band, but couldn't afford him.
PhillyRich, thank you for such an intelligent, well informed opinion. Jazz isn't black music, it's American music.
@@bobtaylor170 I agree with you Bob.
So sad she ended her life. Was incredibly.