Jazz singer

Born: March 9, 1928;

Died: December 16, 2017

KEELY Smith, who has died aged 89, was a singer known for her solo recordings of jazz standards as well as her long-standing musical partnership with Louis Prima. For many years, they were the biggest act in Las Vegas and had a number of hits before Smith went solo. She performed at President John F Kennedy's inauguration and recorded with Frank Sinatra; her songs were also famously featured on the soundtracks on the films Raging Bull and Casino.

Smith's act with Prima, who for many years was also her husband, followed a familiar pattern. Prima was ebullient and over-the-top while Smith was more of the straight man, rolling her eyes at her husband's antics. There was no doubt about the voice though: one critic called it lushness tinged with sadness.

From a Cherokee and Irish background, Smith was born Dorothy Jacqueline Keely in Norfolk, Virginia on March 9, 1928. Her parents divorced when she was nine years old and she started singing publicly when she was just 11, appearing on a children's radio show. She landed her first paying job singing with the Earl Bennett band when she was just 15 and often sang for servicemen at local military bases.

Her association with Prima began when she noticed a sign advertising an appearance by him and his band. He later announced that he was looking for a new singer and Smith auditioned, got the job and began touring with them in 1948. She and Prima married in 1953, and together they won a Grammy for their hit, That Old Black Magic in 1959.

They first found success in Las Vegas in its early years as an entertainment mecca and became friends with the Rat Pack. They first appeared in November 1954 and became a long-running success, also appearing on television. In 1959, they appeared in the film Hey Boy! Hey Girl! They also recorded a succession of albums.

Smith eventually tired of Prima's affairs though and the couple divorced in 1961. Smith had already started on a solo career by this point, releasing the album I Wish You Love in 1957; it sold over a million copies and was nominated for a Grammy. She was also signed to Frank Sinatra's label, Reprise Records, and recorded a duet with him in 1963, So In Love.

Her career underwent something of a revival in 2001 when she was nominated for a Grammy for her album Keely Sings Sinatra - 42 years after she had last been nominated for one of the awards.

In a news release about her death, her publicist said Smith was focused on being in control of her own career, setting up her own record label Keely Records in conjunction with friend Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records.

She divorced Prima in 1961 and married Jimmy Bowen in 1965. Her third marriage was to Bobby Milano in the 1970s.

During her seven-decade career Smith was lauded by critics for her bold voice and ability to make the music swing, and she received several awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Smith said receiving the star had reminded her that she had made it on her own. "When Louis and I broke up, he told me I'd never be anything without him and that's what went through my head the day of the ceremony," she said. "It's a big thing when they do that in Hollywood. They close off the street and busloads of fans come up for autographs. It's quite an honor."

For the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, she performed That Old Black Magic as a duet with Kid Rock.

Smith has lived in Palm Springs for about 40 years. She is survived by her two children, Toni Prima and Luanne Prima.