Thelma Gracen Discography on Mercury

Thelma Gracen (January 6, 1922 - October 24, 1994) started her professional singing career in the '40s with dance bands such as Gay Claridge, Shep Fields, Tommy Dorsey, Jan Garber and Jimmy Palmer. Back in 1955, Maynard Ferguson (EmArcy recording artist) dropped into a Los Angeles night club where Thelma was singing and was so impressed with her artistry, the next night he brought a Mercury talent scout with him. That is how Thelma Gracen became a Mercury recording artist.

However, Gracen's releases were not from Mercury or EmArcy (a Mercury subsidiary), but from the Wing label (another Mercury subsidiary, which Bob Shad started in 1955). Her first recording was as a guest vocalist with the Freddie Slack band, which can be heard on “Boogie Woogie On The 88” (Wing MGW-60003). Next she recorded her first and only album “Thelma Gracen” (Wing MGW-60005), which became a true masterpiece.

Gracen's brilliant and fascinating singing style is reminiscent of the great female vocalists; Anita O'Day, June Christy and Chris Connor. Her great voice was further enhanced by talented Los Angeles based studio musicians who added their expertise to match Gracen's unique singing style.

Unfortunately, Thelma Gracen has very few recordings in her catalogue - two Wing LPs (a year later both were reissued from EmArcy), and older 78rpms with the Shep Fields Orchestra. That is why her Wing LP is very precious and invaluable.

Addendum (Jul. 30, 2007) : I came across an interesting 45rpm single by Thelma Gracen back in 1957 - take a look.

The right photograph is courtesy of Miss Jorie B. Gracen, (Thelma's niece). Included here with her permission.
Furthermore, this text, originally written by myself (who is not a native English speaker) was reviewed and edited by Jorie, to make the grammer sound better. So many thanks for her help!

The period Thelma Gracen recorded on Mercury: 1955.

The Thelma Gracen Release Listing on Mercury

No. (Mono)	No. (Stereo)	Title	Artist(s)	Jacket	(Note)
EmArcy MG-36094	-	Boogie Woogie On The 88	Freddie Slack		reissue of MGW-60003
EmArcy MG-36096	-	Thelma Gracen	Thelma Gracen		reissue of MGW-60005
Wing MGW-60003	-	Boogie Woogie On The 88	Freddie Slack		blue Wing same as MG-36094
Wing MGW-60005	-	Thelma Gracen	Thelma Gracen		blue Wing same as MG-36096

The Thelma Gracen Discography on Mercury

Personnel/recorded date/master numbers confirmed with the Ruppli's discography.
(“The Mercury Labels - A Discography” by Ruppli and Novitsky, Greenwood Press, 1993)