Born in Fort Gibson in Cherokee County, Lee Wiley left home at the tender age of fifteen to pursue her dreams of a singing career, making her mark on New York City radio stations. Her early broadcast efforts launched her career as a prominent American jazz singer whose rich, expressive voice captivated audiences during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
Born to Charles and Janna (Sanders) Willey on October 9, 1908, Lee was one of at least five children born to the couple between 1908 and 1923. Charleand Jananna both graduated from the Cherokee National Male Seminary on June 23, 1892; in 1893 he was Clerk of the Senate of the Cherokee Nation.
She began her radio career at KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and soon found herself singing on notable programs such as the Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt program on NBC in 1932, and Victor Young's radio show in 1933. Her talent and charm led to her own show on CBS, "Lee Wiley," which aired from June to September 1936.
Wiley's early career was marked by a significant setback when a fall from horseback riding caused temporary blindness. Nevertheless, she recovered and continued to chase her dreams. By the age of nineteen, she had joined the Leo Reisman Orchestra and recorded three songs: "Take It from Me," "Time On My Hands," and her composition "Got the South in My Soul.
In 1939, Wiley achieved significant success by recording eight Gershwin songs on 78 RPM records with a small group for Liberty Music Shop Records.
These recordings were well received and followed by similarly successful albums dedicated to the music of Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, Harold Arlen, Vincent Youmans, and Irving Berlin. Her collaborations with Paul Whiteman and the Casa Loma Orchestra further solidified her reputation as a leading jazz vocalist.
Wiley's collaboration with composer Victor Young resulted in several noteworthy songs for which she wrote the lyrics, including "Got the South in My Soul" and "Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere." Her influence extended beyond her vocal performances, contributing to the jazz repertoire with her lyrical prowess.
Wiley was known for her independent spirit and sharp wit. She married jazz pianist Jess Stacy in 1943, but their tumultuous relationship ended in divorce in 1948.
Wiley's response to Stacy's desire to divorce was famously witty, reflecting her strong personality: "What will Bing Crosby be thinking of you divorcing me?" Stacy, equally candid, remarked, "They did not burn the last witch at Salem."
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
On October 11, 1963, Wiley's life and career were dramatized in the Bob Hope Theater on NBC-TV's "Something About Lee Wiley," with Piper Laurie portraying her and Joy Bryan providing her singing voice.
Lee Wiley passed away on December 11, 1975, at the age of 67.
She died of cancer in New York City and her final resting place is in her family's plot at Citizen's Cemetery in Fort Gibson , where she was buried after her death in 1975.
