Carmen McRae discusses inherent versus learned skill

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Carmen McRae talks about acting

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Carmen McRae discusses highlights of her career

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Q: “Any particular thing that has stood out as a highlight? Maybe working with [Duke] Ellington or [Count] Basie or singing duets with Billie Holliday or anything?”

A: “I never sign it or do it with Billie, but that would have been nice. That would have been something to talk about, but we never did that. Well, that's all been good. Most of it has been great, you know. It's hard sometimes to remember exactly one moment, there has to be ...Wait, I did a tour with Basie's Band. This is when he was alive. In Japan. That was nice. That was one of the nicest things. That's when Sonny Payne was alive and couldn't play. Sonny Payne was a terrible drummer. He was great for Basie's Band, but he was not good for accompanying other people.”