Annette Hanshaw 1901 – 1985

Biography

Annette Hanshaw was born on October 18, 1901, in Manhattan, New York, where she began a career that would establish her as a distinctive voice in American popular music. Throughout her life, she remained connected to New York, the city of her birth, which served as the backdrop for her artistic journey during a transformative era in music history.

Hanshaw dedicated her life to singing, becoming an accomplished performer whose contributions to American music spanned several decades. Her work during this period reflected the evolving tastes and styles of twentieth-century popular song, and she built a lasting presence in the entertainment world through her vocal talents and performances.

On March 13, 1985, Hanshaw passed away in New York City at the age of eighty-three, following a battle with cancer. Her legacy remains rooted in the musical tradition she helped shape. She was laid to rest at Ferncliff Cemetery in Greenburgh, where she rests among others who left their mark on American culture and history.