Thelma Carpenter was an American jazz singer and actress, best known as "Miss One", the Good Witch of the North in the movie The Wiz.
12 Facts About Thelma Carpenter
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Thelma Carpenter played at clubs such as Kelly's Stables and the Famous Door on legendary 52nd Street, where she was discovered by John Hammond.
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Thelma Carpenter subsequently made her debut as a band vocalist with Teddy Wilson's short-lived orchestra in 1939, recording "Love Grows on the White Oak Tree" and "This Is the Moment" for Brunswick Records.
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Thelma Carpenter joined Coleman Hawkins' orchestra in 1940, with whom she made the RCA Bluebird Records classic "He's Funny That Way".
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Thelma Carpenter made a V-disc version of Frank Loesser's "The Last Thing I Want Is Your Pity".
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Thelma Carpenter was a top nightclub attraction for most of her career, performing regularly at such chic clubs as Le Ruban Bleu, Spivy's Roof, the Bon Soir, the St Regis Maisonette, and Michael's Pub, as well as Chez Bricktop in Paris and Rome.
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Thelma Carpenter headlined major theaters including the Capitol Theatre, Loew's State Theatre, the Strand, and the Palace Theatre on Broadway and sang with Duke Ellington in concerts and on television.
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Thelma Carpenter created the role of Irene Paige in Bubbling Brown Sugar, starring in the Philadelphia and Washington engagements, but left prior to the Broadway opening, and was featured in the original workshop production of Taking My Turn.
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Thelma Carpenter toured nationally as the showstopping "Berthe" in Bob Fosse's production of Pippin, the same year she filmed her major production number "He's The Wizard" for Sidney Lumet's film version of The Wiz.
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Thelma Carpenter recorded for Majestic, RCA Victor, Columbia and Coral and her answer-record to Elvis Presley, "Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight", reached the Billboard Top 60 in 1961.
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Thelma Carpenter had a critically acclaimed album, "Thinking of You Tonight".
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Thelma Carpenter suffered cardiac arrest and died in New York on May 14,1997.