Anderson, Ivie (Marie; “Ivy”)

Anderson, Ivie (Marie; “Ivy”), jazz vocalist associated with Duke Ellington; b. Gilroy, Calif., July 10, 1905; d. Los Angeles, Dec. 28, 1949. Anderson’s lively, bubbling sound was a key part of Duke Ellington’s sound between 1931 and 1942. From ages 9 to 13 she received vocal training at the local St. Mary’s Convent, then studied for two years in Washington, D.C., with Sara Rilt. Anderson began professional work at Tait’s Club in Los Angeles, and later worked at Mike Lyman’s Tent Cafe. She toured as a dancer in a Fanchon and Marco revue starring Mamie Smith, where she soon became featured as a singer. In 1925 Anderson worked at the Cotton Club in N.Y., then toured with the “Shuffle Along” revue before returning to Los Angeles, where she was featured with Curtis Mosby’s Blue Blowers, Paul Howard’s Quality Serenaders, Sonny Clay’s Band, and briefly with Anson Weeks at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Anderson was in residency at Frank Sebastian’s Cotton Club, Culver City, then, beginning in January 1928, toured Australia with Sonny Clay in another Fanchon and Marco revue. Returning to the U.S., she toured with her own show, was featured with Earl Hines in the Grand Terrace Revue in 1930, then joined Ellington from February 1931 until August 1942. Anderson also appeared in the 1937 Marx Brothers film A Day at the Races. After working with Ellington, she opened Ivie’s Chicken Shack restaurant in Los Angeles and continued to sing regularly at West Coast night spots. Chronic asthma prevented Anderson from undertaking extensive tours, but she did work in Mexico City (1944) and in Chicago (1945).

—John Cholton Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter