Born Beatrice Kanefsky to a wealthy and prominent Jewish family in Philadelphia, on her first forays into show business she adopted the name Bas Sheva (from the biblical "Bathsheba") in order not to embarrass her family. She began her career singing a mainly traditional Jewish repertoire, but her distinctive and powerful voice attracted attention from other sources.
So, when the legendary Yma Sumac was unavailable for his latest project, none other than bandleader and pioneer of the music that became known as "exotica" Les Baxter engaged Bas Sheva instead - and here, for your delectation, is the full album that was the result of that fateful collaboration:
Wow.
Sadly Miss Kanefsky/Sheva died very young at the age of 34, as a result of diabetic complications, while working as a cruise ship singer.
Bas Sheva (25th July 1925 – 11th February 1960)
