Jazz singer Mary Stallings isn't nearly as well-known as she should be.
Despite being a stunningly talented female vocalist with nearly a dozen widely acclaimed albums over a career spanning more than 60 years, Stallings, who makes her Prague debut Dec. 23 at the National Theater, has managed to stay one of jazz's best-kept secrets.
The singer has built her career by impressing some of jazz's defining figures, from Cannonball Adderley to Dizzy Gillepsie, but hers is a household name for only the most dedicated jazz fans. That doesn't seem to bother Stallings, who at the age of 72 is singing more than ever, touring almost constantly and has released two albums in the last five years.
