Martha Tilton, big band singer, dies

BRENTWOOD, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Martha Tilton, popular big-band singer of the 1940s, has died of natural causes at her California home at the age of 91.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tilton was best known for her 1939 recording of "And the Angels Sing" with the Benny Goodman orchestra. Before she joined with Goodman, Tilton sang with the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra. In the 1940s, she became known as "Liltin'" Martha Tilton.

Tilton and the Goodman orchestra made history in 1938 when they performed the first-ever jazz concert at Carnegie Hall, the Times said.

Tilton was also a popular guest on radio shows and appeared in several films.

Born in November 1915 in Corpus Christi, Texas, Tilton is survived by her husband, Jim Brooks; a daughter, Cathy Smith; a son, Jon Vannerson; and five grandchildren.