Memry Midgett

Memry Midgett

Dec. 10, 1920 - Aug. 30, 2013

Memry Midgett was made up of many components, much like her music stylings as a Bay Area vocalist and classically trained pianist. After shifting to jazz and a more contemporary sound, she toured with Billie Holiday and played the piano for her at Carnegie Hall in February 1954.

After an automobile accident in December 1965, Midgett changed careers from music to education and public health. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of San Francisco and a master's in public health at UC Berkeley, then taught at Skyline and McClymonds high schools in Oakland and Mission High in San Francisco.

And she was chief administrator for the Department of Public Health in San Francisco.

This diversified and dynamic woman led an extraordinary life before passing away in her sleep Aug. 30 at her West Oakland home. She was 92, and had carved out a legacy.

"She was a very good pianist - in demand," said John Coppola, a trumpet player and band leader who lives in San Francisco."She wouldn't have worked with Billie Holiday if she couldn't play."

"She pushed the band - she was an asset," said famed alto saxophonist John Handy, an Oakland resident. "We were all in love with her. She was quite beautiful."

Midgett was born Dec. 10, 1920 in Chicago, the only child of Thomas Jefferson Midgett and Julia Ross Midgett. She prepared herself as a classical pianist before moving in 1950 to the Bay Area, then sang and played the piano in Gerald Wilson's band and at such popular clubs as the Blackhawk, El Cid, Slim Jenkins, and the Showcase. At the Downbeat Club in San Francisco, Holiday spotted her playing during an intermission.

Midgett then joined the iconic Holiday on the road, a relationship that lasted 18 months, and culminated with their appearing together at Carnegie Hall.

"I had always wanted to play Carnegie Hall," Midgett reflected years later. "I thought I would never be on that stage after I left classical music."

Midgett traveled with Holiday in 1953 and 1954 before returning to the Bay Area. "Notoriety followed her all the time," said Midgett. "That's the way it was, from start to finish. She always called me her little baby, but I don't know how she thought.

"As singers go, I don't think she was a great singer at all. You couldn't compare her voice to Ella Fitzgerald's or Sarah Vaughan's.

"But as a stylist, that was her claim to fame. She had a singing style like nobody else had, because it was singing and talking."

Midgett married and divorced four times. She had no children.

A celebration of her life will take place Saturday, Sept. 14 at Fouche's Hudson Funeral Home, 3665 Telegraph Ave. In Oakland (510-654-8558). Internment then will follow at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.

Donations can be made to the East Bay SPCA in Oakland.