Sylvia De Sayles (February 12, 1935–November 3, 1978)
Born in Champaign-Urbana, Sylvia was a piano student of local music teacher Julia Valentine. Her career as a singer and pianist was primarily on the East Coast. Her debut album, “The Best is Yet to Come,” was recorded on the Regina Record label. Her voice was described as having “warmth, vocal charm and solid jazz feeling,” and she was billed as “the next Lena Horne.” She performed in the USA, with tours of the East and Europe. She notably performed at the Embers Club in New York and at Basin Street East with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Obscure & Neglected Female Singers of Jazz Standards, Steve Hoffman
The Best Voices that Time Forgot, Jazz Weekly