American sultry jazz singer from the 1950's-60's. Born April 27, 1934 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Died February 17, 1992 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Married to pianist René DeKnight (1963-, divorce).
Blair got her start with Johnny Otis, who featured her in his band. She went on to sing with aggregations of Illinois Jacquet and Duke Ellington. Her solo career developed pursuant to her winning sequential prizes on The Chance Of A Lifetime TV program, which landed her a booking at the Vanity Fair club in Miami. Following engagements at a variety of nightclubs, Cab Calloway signed her for his Cotton Club Revue in 1956. Described by Miles Davis as the brown Marilyn Monroe, Blair's barefoot dancing and whispered songs interspersed with screaming notes made for a dramatic stage presence. She left the revue in 1957 citing poor treatment of colored artists, and performed extensively in South American clubs. Her lack of chart success led to fading popularity and eventual withdrawal from the industry.