Mary Ann Russo, 75, a Toledo jazz band singer whose career began in childhood, died Monday in the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township.
Her death followed a nine-month battle with lung cancer, her daughter, Lisa Young, said.
Ms. Russo, of Sylvania, sang with many area jazz and big band groups and performed through nearly every decade of her life, starting at age 6 when she became a regular on WSPD-AM’s Kiddies Karnival program.
While in her early teens, she was featured with the Jimmy Reemsnyder Band. At 15, she began a five-year stint as vocalist for a band led by Jack Runyan. She went on to marry fellow band member Harry Schlievert.
She later juggled family and child-rearing responsibilities with her singing career.
She kept her maiden name for performances. She was featured in the Johnny Knorr Big Band and the Jackson Big Band, and performed with many smaller combos including her group, All That Jazz.
Her death followed a nine-month battle with lung cancer, her daughter, Lisa Young, said.
Ms. Russo, of Sylvania, sang with many area jazz and big band groups and performed through nearly every decade of her life, starting at age 6 when she became a regular on WSPD-AM’s Kiddies Karnival program.
While in her early teens, she was featured with the Jimmy Reemsnyder Band. At 15, she began a five-year stint as vocalist for a band led by Jack Runyan. She went on to marry fellow band member Harry Schlievert.
She later juggled family and child-rearing responsibilities with her singing career.
She kept her maiden name for performances. She was featured in the Johnny Knorr Big Band and the Jackson Big Band, and performed with many smaller combos including her group, All That Jazz.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
