Hanshaw, Annette (1910–1985)

American pop and jazz vocalist of the 1920s and 1930s. Name variations: recorded under Gay Ellis, Dot Dare, and Patsy Young. Born in New York City, on October 18, 1910; died in 1985; married Herman Rose.

Selected discography—albums:

It Was So Beautiful (Halcyon); Benny Goodman Accompanies "The Girls" (Sunbeam); Sweetheart of the Twenties (Halcyon); The Rare BG 1927–29 (Sunbeam).

Singles:

Black Bottom (Pe 12286); Song of the Wanderer/ If You See Sally (Pe 12329); It Was Only a Sunshower/ Who's That Knocking at My Door? (Pe 12372); I Just Roll Along/ There Must Be a Silver Lining (Pe 12419); Get Out and Get Under the Moon/ We Love It (Pe 12444); Lover, Come Back to Me/ You Wouldn't Fool Me, Would You? (Do 1769-D); That's You, Baby/ Big City Blues (Co 1812-D); Moanin' Low/ Lovable and Sweet (OK 41292); The Right Kind of Man/ If I Can't Have You (OK 41327); When I'm Housekeeping for You/ I Have to Have You (OK 41351); Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love/ When a Woman Loves a Man (OK 41370); Would You Like to Take a Walk?/ You're Just Too Sweet for Words (Ve 2315); Ho Hum!/Moonlight Saving Time (Ve 2393); We Just Couldn't Say Good-bye/ Love Me Tonight (Me 12471); Say It Isn't So/ You'll Always Be the Same Sweetheart (Me 12846); Moon Song/Twenty Million People (Pe 12882); Sweetheart Darlin'/ I Cover the Waterfront (Pe 12921); Give Me Liberty or Give Me Love/ Sing a Little Lowdown Tune (Pe 12959); This Little Piggie/ Let's Fall in Love (Ve 2635).

In her brief, eight-year singing career, vocalist Annette Hanshaw left an enduring impression. Born in New York City and discovered at age 15, she belonged to a cadre of radio stars who were popular during the 1920s and 1930s, and only made recordings as an afterthought. Hanshaw made guest appearances on the popular Maxwell House "Show Boat" program and with Glen Gray's band on "Camel Caravan." She also had her own singing series in the early 1930s. She recorded with such legendary jazz artists as Benny Goodman, Eddie Lang, Red Nichols, Tommy Dorsey, and Jack Teagarden, and, on many of her early recordings, she added a "That's all" tag at the end.

Dubbed "The Personality Girl," Hanshaw was cited for her rhythmic bounce and her instinctive reading of lyrics, but was best known for her ability to switch from uptempo tunes to emotional torch songs almost effortlessly. Her incredible versatility encompassed romantic ballads, jazz standards, comedy novelty songs, and her superb Betty Boop impression. Although she was popular on the radio and even made a few short movies for Paramount, Hanshaw grew to dislike show business and called it quits in 1934, at age 23. Except for a few radio shows, she settled into married life with Herman Rose. Following his death, she volunteered to work at a local hospital in New York. Hanshaw's recordings are her lasting legacy, among which the collection album It Was So Beautiful (Halcyon) provides the best example of her talent. "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Love" and "I'm Sure of Everything but You" are considered particular standouts. Annette Hanshaw died in 1985.