Emma Lou Welch

Big band singer, and guitarist, from Kansas City, who worked with many big bands including those of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Johnny Richards, Benny Carter, and Ike Carpenter. She performed in the 1945 USO shows in the Pacific headlined by Charles Ruggles. She was accompanied by pianist Arthur Zepp. She also owned the Jesma label, which was named after her mother. She was married to drummer Johnny Lais (John J. Lais Jr.) from 1952 until his death in 1981. Born: 4 October 1924 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA Died: 18 October 2012 in Piper, Kansas, USA