Frances Wayne

Frances Wayne (August 26, 1924 – February 6, 1978), born Clara Bertocci, was an American jazz vocalist.

Wayne was born in Boston and moved to New York City in her teens, where she sang in an ensemble led by her brother, saxophonist Nick Jerret. A 1942 review in Billboard magazine described her as "a striking brunette with a true contralto, perfect rhythm, and, most interesting, a brand-new style...of deep understanding and feeling for the spirit of what she sings."

Early in the 1940s, she recorded with Charlie Barnet's big band, and in 1943 sang with Woody Herman's band. In 1944 she married Neal Hefti, who played trumpet and arranged material for Herman. Hefti formed his own big band in 1947, and Wayne soloed in this ensemble as well. She sang with Hefti into the 1950s, and later sang with smaller ensembles, which featured Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, Jerome Richardson, Richie Kamuca, John LaPorta, Billy Bauer, and Al Cohn.

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