Mary Kaye

American guitarist and performer, active from the 1940s through 1960s. Born: January 9, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Died: February 17, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Daughter of Hawaiian singer and musician Johnny "Ukulele" Kaaihue. Sister of singer/songwriter Norman Kaye, who was also in the Mary Kaye Trio. Mother of singer, guitarist, & composer Jay Kaye. She and her brother originally played in their father's (Johnny Ukulele) band. Musical differences split her from the group and she formed her first trio which included comedian Frank Ross (2) and her husband, bass player Jules Pursley. When her brother Norman was discharged from the war he joined the group. Her husband became their road manager. The group released a dozen albums before the group broke up in 1965. In 1966, Mary Kaye started The New Mary Kaye Trio, which included her and Ray Malus and Ronny Douglas--the group disbanded in 1968. After that, Mary continued performing solo.