Ella Johnson, 86; Jazz, Blues Singer Worked With Brother
Ella Johnson, 86, a jazz and blues singer who in the 1940s and ‘50s performed in dance bands led by her brother Buddy Johnson, died in New York City on Feb. 16, the New York Times reported.
A native of Darlington, N. C., Johnson moved to New York at the age of 17 to be with her brother, who began featuring her on recordings, mainly for the Decca label.
She had several hits with her brother’s band, including “Please Mr. Johnson” in 1940. Other well-known songs associated with her were “Since I Fell for You,” “When My Man Comes Home” and “Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?”
She had one release under her own name on Harlem records, a small label, in 1946. She moved with her brother’s band to Mercury Records in 1953 and later to Roulette Records.
She gave up singing in the mid-1960s when her brother decided to disband his group.
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