Ann Baker

American jazz singer, 2008 inductee of West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. Musical career began in Pittsburgh jazz outlets alongside Harry and Jerome Betters and Bernie Crenshaw. First national notice after Louis Armstrong featured her on Broadway with his group in the early 1940s. Baker also did stints with Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. She is probably best known as Sarah Vaughan's replacement as vocalist with Billy Eckstine. Born: 21 August 1915 in Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA Died: 29 August 1999 in Charleston, West Virginia, USA