Mildred Bailey was an American singer known for her light soprano voice, clear articulation, and jazz phrasing. As a singer, she was especially influenced by Ethel Waters and Bessie Smith,   ​  

 Mildred began life on the Coeur d’Alene reservation, In about 1913 her family moved to Spokane, in 1916 her mother died. By age 17 ​Mildred was on her own.  She worked as a pianist in movie theatres, as a music clerk, and as a singer in speakeasies. Her brief marriage to a man named Ted Bailey gave her the name she kept; with her second husband, Benny Stafford, she moved to Los Angeles while still in her teens and began singing at various nightclubs and speakeasies. In 1929 she joined the Whiteman orchestra as the first featured female vocalist in a big band. ​Mildred career took off during her four years with Whiteman. Her rendition of “Rockin’ Chair” were popular favourites. (She even became known as the “Rockin’ Chair Lady.”)

In 1933 she married Red Norvo. He started his own band that year, while she launched her solo career. In 1936, when Norvo’s group was struggling, he brought in​ Mildred as the featured soloist. Until the band folded in 1939, the couple was known as “Mr. and Mrs. Swing.