Ramona

Who was Ramona?

Ramona Davies, usually billed as Ramona and her Grand Piano, was a cabaret singer and pianist, most popular in the 1930s.

Born Estrild Raymona Myers on March 11, 1909 in Lockland, Ohio, she was vocalist and pianist for Paul Whiteman's Orchestra from 1932−37. She played mildly jazz-influenced piano and sang songs in a deep-voiced, sophisticated style. She was sometimes featured by Whiteman with a small jazz group within the band, as well as recording sides as a soloist and duets with Roy Bargy.

Prior to joining Whiteman, she had her own radio show in Cincinnati and also worked with Don Bestor. She performed on Whiteman's radio show in 1933, Al Jolson's radio show in 1933−34 and the Kraft Music Hall in late 1934 through early 1935. She was featured with the Whiteman band in the 20th Century-Fox 1935 film Thanks A Million.

She left Whiteman's band in 1937 and worked as a single. In the late 1930s, she led a male big band.

She died on December 14, 1972, of ovarian cancer.