Ramona

Ramona Davies (March 11, 1909 − December 14, 1972), usually billed as Ramona and her Grand Piano, was a cabaret singer and pianist, most popular in the 1930s. Born Estrild Raymona Myers in Lockland, Ohio to teenaged parents, 17-year-old Raymond P. Myers (for whom Raymona was named ) and Rachel (née DeCamp), 15 years old.Raymond Myers' parents had the marriage annulled, unaware that Rachel was carrying Raymond's child.Rachael and infant Ramona moved across the border to Ashland, Kentucky, where Rachel met her future husband, Charles C. Payne. Ramona became a vocalist and pianist for Paul Whiteman's Orchestra from 1932–37.She played mildly jazz-influenced piano and sang songs in a deep-voiced, sophisticated style.She was sometimes featured by Whiteman with a small jazz group within the band, as well as recording sides as a soloist and duets with Roy Bargy. Prior to joining Whiteman, she had her own radio show in Cincinnati and also worked with Don Bestor.She performed on Whiteman's radio show in 1933, Al Jolson's radio show in 1933–34 and the Kraft Music Hall in late 1934 through early 1935 (before Bing Crosby took over the radio program in 1936).She was featured with the Whiteman band in the 20th Century-Fox 1935 film Thanks A Million.She left Whiteman's band in 1937 and worked as a single (recording for Liberty Music Shops specialty label).In the late 1930s, she led a male big band (recording for Varsity Records).