Alice Darr (born 1932) is a recording artist, song writer, and composer. She so impressed legend Dean Martin that when he first heard her sing, he offered her a contract right on the spot. She was linked romantically with Nat King Cole. She was one of the first artists to be offered a residency at more than one nightclub. She was the first woman of colour (in 1955) to appear in national magazine wearing a bikini and she is regarded as one of the most underrated and underappreciated jazz musicians of her time.
Alice Darr was born in Cumberland, the second of the Darrs' three daughters, who began singing with her sisters when she was a first-grader. With help from their dad, the girls learned to sing in harmony before they could read. Alice grew up on Pine Avenue, and attended the Carver School. Her parents were extremely hard working, and worked several jobs to provide for the family. Her father, James Darr, was also an accomplished jazz musician who worked with the Black Diamonds, the Original Bellhops and other bands and combos.
Alice not only sang, but at the age of 10 she took her first piano lesson, she also learned the snare drums. She first gained experience playing at the former Cadillac Cocktail Lounge in downtown Cumberland. She won $50 in an amateur contest, and having been billed as the "star" of any number of school and church functions afterward. She soon afterwards received a call from an agent out of Pittsburgh which resulted in a nation-wide tour.
At 17, she was a full-time professional with a contract in Pittsburgh. Then began the climb to bigger and better-paying club jobs in various parts of the country and finally in New York itself. Her parents, justly proud and happy about her success, hoped for "that one chance" on television that could someday make their daughter a top-ranking star. As noted by the famous variety show television host, Ed Sullivan, in describing Alice in his New York Daily News column, she has "Plenty of Talent", and in writing for the New York Post, the nationally syndicated show business columnist Earl Wilson described her as, "a lovely, charming, and vivacious girl". An exceptionally talented pianist, Alice Darr enjoyed great success in the music industry as a performer, music composer, and songwriter with two albums and six copyrighted songs.
An article from Jet magazine from 1961 stated “The next big interracial marriage will involve singer-pianist Alice Darr and a Greek New York night club owner, who has planted a $3,500 ring on her finger.” In 1962 Alice recorded one of the most obscure albums on the Charlie Parker label “I Only Know How To Cry -- Music For Lovers & Losers” It contained moody vocals with just the guitar of Mundell Lowe and bass of George Duvivier for accompaniment! The set included a number of original and unusual tunes.
Many singers were auditioned but failed to impress. Then an agent steered Mayhew and Mundy to a small club where Darr was singing. She was perfect. Several of the songs on the album were composed by Joan Moskatel, who was little known in 1962 and even less so now. This is a brilliant album on so many levels, particularly Mundy's accompaniment on guitar.
Alice would go on to perform around the world, meet and work alongside some of the greatest entertainers, and performed in Europe for many years, but Cumberlanders will remember Miss Darr's piano-and-vocal performances at the old Cadillac and at the Alibi, later Al's Chateau which is now a parking lot. Miss Darr played the two night spots for more than a year, alternating with out-of-town professional acts. She sang in New York, Florida, Chicago and Mexican supper clubs for many years and was at The Toast (1068 First Avenue) in Manhattan for a total of about two years, with a time out for an eight-month engagement at The Left Bank.
Alice was singing on national stages and in front of thousands a night, and briefly dating Nat King Cole, when her shows were over, she was not permitted to join many of her fellow headliners in white hotels and restaurants. The folks who bought tickets to see her would and could be the same people who would not allow her into their businesses when she was not performing. In 1966 she toured military bases in the Far East before returning to New York's Apartment. In 1969 she was at Dino's in Las Vegas and at Chez Voltaire in Los Angeles. It is supposed that she made the West Coast her home into the 1970s and beyond.
A second album Darr recorded in 1972, which is very rare on a private label was The Alice Darr Trio Live At The Living Room An excellent vocal jazz and soul LP recorded in France with G. Rovere ( Bass ) - Ch. Saudrais ( drums ) andd M. Hemmeler ( organ ).
Alice Darr is now 91 years old and living quietly and comfortably at the Allegany Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Cumberland.
(Edited from the Cumberland Times-News & Dusty Groove)