AKA Dave Alden Lambert

(Born: June 19, 1917 in Boston, MA;  Died: Oct. 3, 1966 in Westport, CT)

Best-known for being the “Lambert” in the premiere jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Dave Lambert was already a veteran singer when that ensemble was formed in 1957. Originally a drummer, Lambert sang with Johnny Long’s big band for a year. He was with Gene Krupa’s Orchestra (1944-45) and when he sang “What’s This” with Buddy Stewart, it was considered the first vocal version of a bop line… He appeared with Charlie Parker on a Royal Roost broadcast (1949) and his singers backed Bird on his 1953 recordings of “Old Folks” and “In the Still of the Night”; renditions that are somewhat bizarre… After Lambert, Hendricks & Ross became popular in 1957, that group dominated his activities…He stayed with the ensemble after it became Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan in 1962 (when Annie Ross was succeeded by Yolande Bavan) until its breakup in 1964. The warm-voiced singer’s last recording was a scat-filled version of “Donna Lee” performed at a 1965 Charlie Parker memorial concert. Dave Lambert died tragically in 1966, hit by a car while changing a tire. — Scott Yanow, All Music Guide