Billy Eckstine

William Clarence Eckstine was an American jazz and pop singer, and a bandleader of the swing era. He was noted for his rich, resonant, almost operatic bassbaritone voice. Eckstines recording of I Apologize was awarded the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. The New York Times described him as an influential band leader whose suave bassbaritone and fullthroated, sugary approach to popular songs inspired singers like Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock and Lou Rawls.

Eckstines paternal grandparents were William F. Eckstein and Nannie Eckstein, a mixedrace, married couple who lived in Washington, D.C. both were born in 1863. William F. was born in Prussia and Nannie in Virginia. His parents were William Eckstein, a chauffeur, and Charlotte Eckstein, a seamstress of note. Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a State Historical Marker is placed at 5913 Bryant St, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to mark the house where he grew up. He attended Peabody High School before moving to Washington, DC. He attended Armstrong High School, St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, and Howard University. He left Howard in 1933, after winning first place in an amateur talent contest. He married his first wife, June, in 1942. After their divorce in 1952, he remarried shortly after to actress and model Carolle Drake in 1953, and they remained married until his death. He was the father of four children by second marriage and two stepchildren, including

Source: Wikipedia