Lee Wiley occupies her own place in jazz history. Although a cool-toned and sophisticated singer, her interpretations of superior standards were often quite sensuous and, even if she did not improvise much, she was a favorite of many musicians, particularly Eddie Condon. She came to New York in the early '30s and at age 17 was singing and recording with Leo Reisman's orchestra. She spent most of the that decade singing with commercial radio orchestras (including Victor Young and Johnny Green) but eventually also appeared at clubs backed by small jazz groups, having a close relationship with Bunny Berigan. Starting in 1939 Lee Wiley became the first singer to devote an entire album to the music of one composer; her George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Rodgers & Hart sessions are considered classic and the highpoints of her career. Wiley married Jess Stacy in 1943 but after five years both their big band and marriage were history. She appeared at a few of Eddie Condon's Town Hall concerts but from the late '40s on Wiley performed and recorded less frequently. After some sessions for Columbia during 1950-51, Storyville in 1954 and Victor during 1956-57, all that remained was a final record for Monmouth-Evergreen in 1971. By then she was forgotten to all but veteran record collectors but Lee Wiley had made her mark decades earlier. ~ Scott Yanow
--Scott Yanow, All Music Guide