Skip to main content Skip to footer site map
Jazz Singer Carol Sloane Passes Away at 85

Jazz Singer Carol Sloane Passes Away at 85

Carol’s death comes just nine months after the release of her final album, Live at Birdland.

Beloved jazz singer Carol Sloane died January 23 at a senior care center in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She was 85. The cause was complications from a stroke two years ago, said her stepdaughter, Sandra de Novellis.

Carol's death comes just nine months after the release of her final album, Live at Birdland. Her long-time friend, attorney and co-producer of her final album, Mark Sendroff, offers this remembrance of his friend, "I was first told about Carol by a jazz club owner in New York City who referred to her as 'the white Ella.' Of course I had to hear what he meant and came to realize that he was referring to her musicality and ability to tell the story while incorporating just enough scat to tastefully enhance the melody, rather than show off. We have now lost one of the remaining few authentic bridges to the Golden Age of Jazz, whose popularity and stature will surely grow 'as time goes by.'"

Born on March 5, 1937, Carol Anne Morvan sang in church choirs in her hometown of Smithfield, Rhode Island. At 14, she began singing as Carol Vann with a local big band led by Ed Drew. Carol Sloane's jazz career started in the 1950s when she shared the stage with notable jazz musicians like Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry and Ben Webster. Her success at the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival garnered the attention of national media outlets and led to her signing with Columbia Records, thrusting her into a career that placed her among the most noted jazz vocalists of the era.

Recordings and regular television appearances, including "The Tonight Show," brought Carol global acclaim. In addition to appearances at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and Lincoln Center, she toured extensively in Japan and appeared in Canada, the UK, Spain, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands.

The albums she recorded late in her career serve as a masterclass in jazz musicianship. Despite her age, her vocals were lauded by many as warm, "smoldering with tenderness and seduction" (Marc Meyers, liner notes for Carol's album We'll Meet Again). As Sloane herself shared with the New York City Jazz Record, conveying the lyrics was of utmost importance. "That's what Carmen (McRae) taught me. She said tell the story, feel the tug in the heart." That connection to the lyric, combined with her flawless delivery, is what made Carol Sloane a true jazz icon.

Club44 Records President Wayne Haun feels fortunate to have been able to be a small part of Sloane's storied career. Haun shares, "I bought my first Carol Sloane CD in college. While I never had the honor of meeting her in person, we spoke several times over the phone in preparation for her album release (Live at Birdland). Our conversations would sometimes go on for an hour or so. She was a talking encyclopedia. Carol was so fascinating and loved to talk about songwriters and musicians and recordings, but I had to beg her to talk about herself. At the end of each call, I felt a sense of enlightenment. I'm so thankful our paths crossed.

Next month, a documentary about the life of Carol Sloane is scheduled to premiere. You can enjoy her final album, Live at Birdland, HERE.



Sharon McNight to Present SURVIVING CABARET at The Green Room 42 in April Photo
THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Tony Award-nominee Sharon McNight in “Surviving Cabaret,” a storied look back at the last forty years of notable performances, on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15, both at 7:00 PM.

Gabrielle Mariella Brings BROADWAY LEADING LADIES SING to 54 Below Photo
54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Gabrielle Mariella, actress, singer, and filmmaker known for her unmatched vocal impersonations of Broadway's leading ladies that have taken the Broadway community by storm, makes her 54 Below solo debut in Gabrielle Mariella: Broadway Leading Ladies Sing.

GOLEM OWNED A TROPICAL SMOOTHIE, LIVE IN CONCERT Comes to 54 Below Photo
54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, presents Golem Owned a Tropical Smoothie: Live in Concert on Sunday, April 30 at 9:30pm. Join in for a hilarious evening featuring the songs of the unforgettable, long-awaited, non-copyright infringing, award-winning new musical about Golem who owned a smoothie shop.

Danny Marin And More Will Mourn Panic! At The Disco With New Show At Green Room 42 Photo
Danny Marin (Drunk Musicals) is back at The Green Room 42 and is in deep mourning. On January 24, 2023, Brendon Urie announced Panic! At The Disco is over! The group's last remaining original member is turning attention toward family life and, while we respect his wishes, we hate that for us.


More Hot Stories For You


Sharon McNight to Present SURVIVING CABARET at The Green Room 42 in AprilSharon McNight to Present SURVIVING CABARET at The Green Room 42 in April
March 22, 2023

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present Tony Award-nominee Sharon McNight in “Surviving Cabaret,” a storied look back at the last forty years of notable performances, on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15, both at 7:00 PM.

Gabrielle Mariella Brings BROADWAY LEADING LADIES SING to 54 BelowGabrielle Mariella Brings BROADWAY LEADING LADIES SING to 54 Below
March 22, 2023

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Gabrielle Mariella, actress, singer, and filmmaker known for her unmatched vocal impersonations of Broadway's leading ladies that have taken the Broadway community by storm, makes her 54 Below solo debut in Gabrielle Mariella: Broadway Leading Ladies Sing.

GOLEM OWNED A TROPICAL SMOOTHIE, LIVE IN CONCERT Comes to 54 BelowGOLEM OWNED A TROPICAL SMOOTHIE, LIVE IN CONCERT Comes to 54 Below
March 22, 2023

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, presents Golem Owned a Tropical Smoothie: Live in Concert on Sunday, April 30 at 9:30pm. Join in for a hilarious evening featuring the songs of the unforgettable, long-awaited, non-copyright infringing, award-winning new musical about Golem who owned a smoothie shop.

Jess Darrow, Sojourner Brown & More to Join Rob Morean for ALL IN GOOD COMPANY at The Cutting RoomJess Darrow, Sojourner Brown & More to Join Rob Morean for ALL IN GOOD COMPANY at The Cutting Room
March 21, 2023

Stars of stage and screen will join host and survivor, Rob Morean on stage for his debut New York City Visionaries of the Year performance, All in Good Company – a night of music, drag, laughs, and philanthropy.

Karen Akers to Present ABOUT TIME at Birdland in AprilKaren Akers to Present ABOUT TIME at Birdland in April
March 21, 2023

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present award-winning vocalist Karen Akers, who returns to the venue with the special evening “About Time,” on Monday, April 24 at 7:00 PM.