Like many great blues and classic jazz vocalists, the Savannah, GA raised Irene Reid began singing in the church. She was born on September 23, 1930 in Savannah, and attended the Alfred E. Beach/Cuyler High School. There, she learned vocal music from teacher Peter Smalls. In her early days singing around Savannah, it was either in the church or in the high school, and the thought of becoming a blues or jazz singer didn't dawn on her until some time later.
After her mother passed away in 1947, she moved to New York City to live with an aunt. Later that same year, she won the ...