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The legendary cabaret singer Mabel Mercer was born in Burton upon Trent in east Staffordshire at the turn of the century Her parents were both involved in music and performing.

A year after her death, in 1985, The Mabel Mercer Foundation was set up to preserve her memory and keep the art of cabaret alive.

Early Years

Mabel was born on February 3rd 1900 to parents who were both performers although Mabel never met her father, a musician, who died before she was born.

Her mother performed in Vaudeville, the theatrical variety show that arose out of the music-halls.

By the age of fourteen, she was moving around Europe.
Of course, she didn't go alone. The teenage Mabel travelled with her aunt to places like France and Belgium where she too performed in vaudeville acts.

Famous

By the time the 1930s came along, Mabel had become the toast of Paris and had developed her style of cabaret singing.

However, during the Second World War Mabel left Europe and moved to America. This very much became her home as she stayed there for most of her life.
In fact she didn't step foot on English shores again until the late seventies when she herself was an old lady.

During her four decades in America, Mabel based herself in New York. She ended up performing cabaret at some of the most well known night spots in the city.

She had a host of famous fans, including Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway.

Back Home

Mabel came back to England in 1977 at the age of seventy seven, but she was still performing shows.

Mabel died in 1984.

A year later, on what would have been her eighty fifth birthday, The Mabel Mercer Foundation was set up.
Now, every year they host a Cabaret Convention to celebrate the style of music.

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mabel mercer
She received a citation from President Reagen for services to American popular song.
She was a caberet singer who enjoyed the friendship of Josephine Baker when she lived in Paris in the 20s. She was a friend also of the Prince of Wales, Cole Porter, Hemingway, etc. She also had a profound influence on the singing style of Sinatra and Billie Holliday.
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