With a voice “as easy and relaxed as though she’s singing over the backyard fence” (People magazine 1996), Rosemary Clooney launched her career singing duets with her late sister Betty. on a radio station in Cincinnati. In 1947, Betty and Rosemary joined the Pastor Band as The Clooney Sisters, making their debut at The Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Two years later, Rosemary signed a solo recording contract with Columbia Records. In 1951, she recorded her first single, an infectious version of “Come On-a My House” which proved to be an enormous success and her vehicle to stardom.

Clooney’s television and film appearances include the classic White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (1954), and The Rosemary Clooney Show (1956-57). 1995, the 50th anniversary of her start in show business, was a banner year for Clooney. Her CD Demi-Centennial was nominated for a Grammy and she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role on NBC’s top-rated ER.

Clooney’s first Carnegie Hall performance, “In Concert: Rosemary Clooney and the Arrangers” was in 1991, followed by a tribute to Bing Crosby at Carnegie Hall in 1993. Her third appearance was in September 1996, with “Rose,mary Clooney Sings Nelson Riddle.” “Dedicated to Nelson,” her 20th recording for the Concord Jazz label. climbed to the top 10 on the Billboard jazz charts. In 1996, she also released her first “official” Christmas album, White Christmas, which topped Billboard’s jazz chart in December.

Lauded by The Washington Post as part of “that special club that not only sings standards but sets them,” Clooney’s singing has a “warmth, a depth of understanding, an honesty that surpasses craft.” This May, Clooney will appear in her seventh consecutive season at New York’s famous Rainbow &Stars.