Eckstine Billy "Mr.B"

Billy Eckstine (1914–1993) was an influential American jazz and pop singer, bandleader, and a key figure during the swing and bebop eras, recognized for his rich bass-baritone voice. He rose to prominence as the leader of his own big band in the 1940s, which served as a launching pad for many future jazz legends. Notably, Eckstine was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2019, and his 1951 hit “I Apologize” received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. Despite facing racial challenges in his career, he continued to perform and record until his death in 1993.

GENRES: Big Band, Jazz, Male Vocalist

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