Helen Forrest

Brunette Helen Forrest was born Helen Fogel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She loved singing from early childhood and keenly listened to recordings by all the major female jazz and blues vocalists of the day. At the age of ten, Helen competed in a dance marathon and sang with her brother's band in Washington, D.C. By the time she reached her mid-teens, was a salaried employee of CBS radio and WNEW (New York), singing under the pseudonyms Bonnie Blue, Blue Lady and Marlene. In 1937, she was invited for a guest spot with the orchestra of Bunny Berigan and was heard by clarinettist and bandleader Artie Shaw who was so impressed that he promptly hired her as main female vocalist to perform alongside the great Billie Holiday. Though their styles and repertoire differed considerably, Billie was very supportive and became a powerful (though sadly short-lived) influence on young Helen. When Billie was forced to leave the band in October 1938 due to race-related issues (much to Shaw's disgust),