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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMODERNAIRES, TheVocal group. Along with the Pied Pipers (see Jo Stafford), the Modernaires were one of the first vocal groups to use modern harmonies and jazz-influenced phrasing. They began as a trio formed by Hal Dickinson in Buffalo NY, became a quartet adopting the name Modernaires, sang as half an octet with Fred Waring '36, then on their own with Charlie Barnet same year, with Paul Whiteman '38--40, recorded with Glenn Miller '40 and joined that band Jan. '41. Marion Hutton had left the Miller band on maternity leave, replaced by Dorothy Claire, then Paula Kelly. Kelly (b Grove City PA) had sung with Dick Stabile '37--8, Al Donahue '38--40 (no. 1 version of 'Jeepers Creepers'), joined Miller spring '41 and later married Dickinson. She appeared with the Modernaires in the film Sun Valley Serenade, but went to Artie Shaw '41 when Hutton returned. By the mid-'40s the Modernaires were a quintet with Kelly and Dickinson the regular members. They worked with Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle, played theatres, clubs, radio, tours and daytime TV with the Bob Crosby band, recorded as Paula Kelly and the Modernaires for Coral in the '50s and continued intermittently active and popular with ghost band tours. Dickinson d 18 Nov. '70; Kelly married Richard Turner '76, retired '78; she d 2 April '92 aged 72. Her daughter Paula Kelly Jr still has the group. |