Eartha Kitt: The Sultry Voice of Jazz and Cabaret

Eartha Kitt was an American singer, actress, and dancer known for her distinctive, purring contralto voice and sophisticated stage persona. Her career spanned over six decades, finding success in music, film, and theater, most famously with her 1953 holiday hit "Santa Baby."

Early career

Born Eartha Mae Keith in 1927 in North, South Carolina, she faced a difficult childhood before joining the Katherine Dunham Company as a dancer and vocalist in the late 1940s. This touring experience provided her formal training and led to her being discovered for a New York revue, which launched her professional career.

Breakthrough

Her performance in the Broadway revue "New Faces of 1952" was a major breakthrough, introducing her to a national audience. This success was swiftly followed by her recording of "Santa Baby" in 1953, which became an instant and enduring classic, cementing her status as a unique vocal talent in the traditional pop and jazz worlds.

Key tracks

Santa Baby - This 1953 single remains her signature song, a coquettish Christmas standard that showcases her unique vocal delivery and has been certified Platinum for digital sales.

C'est Si Bon - A definitive version of this French song, it exemplified her ability to blend jazz with international flair and became a staple of her live performances.

Uska Dara - This Turkish-inspired song highlighted her skill with exotic material and her global musical interests, further establishing her eclectic repertoire.

I Want to Be Evil - This playful, rebellious track perfectly captured her stage persona of sophisticated mischief and became a fan favorite.

Just an Old Fashioned Girl - Her tongue-in-cheek performance on this number from "New Faces of 1952" became an early career-defining moment.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Eartha Kitt recorded numerous albums for labels like RCA Victor, starred in films, and performed in nightclubs worldwide. Her career faced a significant setback in 1968 after a controversial political remark at a White House luncheon, leading to professional exile in the United States for a time. She continued working extensively in Europe and eventually returned to U.S. prominence with a celebrated Broadway comeback in the 1978 musical "Timbuktu!," earning a Tony Award nomination.

Her later career included voice acting, notably as Yzma in Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove," and she maintained a rigorous performing schedule until her death in 2008. Artists with a similar blend of jazz, cabaret, and distinctive theatrical style include Julie London, who shared a intimate, smoky vocal approach. Peggy Lee also mastered a cool, sophisticated pop-jazz style with clever phrasing. The dramatic delivery and musical versatility of Lena Horne provides another point of comparison for Eartha Kitt's legacy.

Eartha Kitt's music, from the timeless "Santa Baby" to her sophisticated jazz recordings, continues to be celebrated for its unique character and artistry, ensuring her voice remains unforgettable.