Betty Carter, born Lillie Mae Jones in 1929, was an American jazz singer celebrated for her extraordinary improvisational skill and inventive scatting. Her creative interpretations and complex vocal style set her apart in the jazz world. Renowned for both her technical mastery and expressive performances, she was widely admired by peers, with Carmen McRae famously calling her the only true jazz singer. Carter’s influence endures as a defining figure in vocal jazz.