Julia Lee
(1902-1958)
American Jazz singer
One classic example of a viper song iis 'The Spinach Song', recorded in 1938 by the popular jazz band Julia Lee and her Boyfriends. Performed for years in clubs thick with cannabis smoke, along with other Julia Lee hits like 'Sweet Marijuana', the popular song used spinach as an obvious metaphor for pot.
(Also see Popeye)
Julia Lee was a popular entertainer who recorded frequently for Capitol during 1944-1950, Julia Lee's double-entendre songs and rocking piano made her a major attraction in Kansas City. She played piano and sang in her brother George E. Lee's Orchestra during 1920-1934, recording with him in 1927 and 1929 (including "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight") and cutting two titles of her own in 1929 ("He's Tall, He's Dark and He's Handsome" and "Won't You Come Over to My House"). Lee worked regularly as a single in Kansas City after her brother's band broke up. In 1944, she started recording for Capitol and among her sidemen on some sessions were Jay McShann , Vic Dickenson , Benny Carter , Red Norvo , and Red Nichols , along with many local players. After 1952, Julia Lee only recorded four further songs, but she was active up until her death in 1958.
source: Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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