In Memoriam: Martha Tilton

Of all the purveyors of ear candy in an era renowned for pure tones and elegant phrasing, few had a patch on the Liltin' Miss Tilton...

Born in November 1915, Martha Tilton got her start performing with the vocal group Three Hits and a Miss, before hitting the big time as the girl singer with Benny Goodman's Orchestra on their radio showcase Camel Caravan. It was with them she recorded her breakthrough hit And the Angels Sing, and she was with them when they played their legendary gig at Carnegie Hall in 1938 - considered by many to be the beginning of the Swing Era.

As a recording artist, Tilton was lucky (and talented) enough to be signed by Capitol Records, which was established at the height of America's involvement in World War II, and not only survived but thrived (despite the wartime rationing of vinyl) owing to the superior artistry of the acts it signed.

Tilton's talents have also been preserved in a visual medium, thanks to her many appearances in film and Soundies shorts, which have gained a whole new life thanks to YouTube.

Martha Tilton died on this day in 2006, and may be gone but as long as there is music will never be forgotten...
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