EntertainmentAmerican1928 – 2017

Keely Smith

Jazz and pop vocalist, two-time Grammy Award winner, Las Vegas performer

Biography

Keely Smith (March 9, 1928 – December 16, 2017) was an American jazz and pop vocalist who became one of the most successful female singers of the mid-20th century. Born Dorothy Keely Smith in Norfolk, Virginia, she rose to prominence in the 1950s, earning multiple Grammy Award nominations and two Grammy Awards throughout her career. Smith gained widespread recognition for her sophisticated, sultry vocal delivery and her numerous collaborations with bandleader and performer Louis Prima, with whom she recorded several hit singles. Her career spanned multiple decades, and she performed extensively in Las Vegas, becoming a fixture of the entertainment scene there. Known for her interpretations of jazz standards and popular songs, Smith recorded albums that showcased her versatility across genres. Despite facing the challenges of the entertainment industry during her era, she maintained a successful recording and performing career well into her later years. Her influence on female jazz vocalists and her elegant performance style left a lasting impact on American popular music.

The Name Keely

Keely Smith's successful career as a sophisticated jazz vocalist helped establish Keely as a name associated with artistic talent and elegant femininity in mid-20th century American culture.

Other Famous Keelys

Keely Shaye Smith

Television host, wildlife documentary producer, environmental advocate

Entertainment

Quick Facts

Keely

Irish origin

“A shortened form of Keeley, combining Irish 'Kee-' roots with the English 'leah' (meadow), resulting in a simple, joyful name. Keely's brevity gives it a modern, no-nonsense quality while retaining the warmth and accessibility of longer variants.”