Anita O’Day’s unique sound and swinging rhythmic sense put her in the upper echelon of jazz singers, as skillful with ballads as with scatting and liberal interpretations of standard songs. Her career spanned the late swing and bebop eras and included stints with the Gene Krupa and Stan Kenton before launching a solo career, inspired many singers who followed her, such as June Christy, Chris Connor, and Helen Merrill.