Rita Reys
Maria Everdina Reijs, also known as Rita Reys, born on December 21, 1924, in
Rotterdam, Netherlands, was a Dutch jazz singer. From a musical family, Reys
began her career by winning local singing competitions and performing with bands
like the Hawaiian Minstrels and Johny Jansen's orchestra. In 1955, she moved to
New York City and recorded her debut album, The Cool Voice of Rita Reys, with
Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, which was released in 1956. She performed at
venues such as Birdland and the Village Vanguard. Following her first husband,
Wessel Ilcken's death in 1957, Re...
