Della Reese's first job doubled as a singer and hostess in a nightclub

Della Reese was only 6 years old when she began singing in church choirs. That one-of-a-kind voice got Reese an opportunity to sing with Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in her Jackson troupe at 13.

According to a 1970 Widnes Weekly News article, Reese sang with Mahalia for five consecutive summers, holding on to the surreal moment as long as she could. Although she had a great chance of becoming an instant star, Reese decided to attend Wayne University in Detroit. She studied psychology and formed her own Gospel group, The Meditation Singers.

Things were going well for the singer and actress until her mother died. Her father was also ill and couldn't take care of himself. Della Reese left school to care for her father and youngest siblings. She needed to make money, but her heart was with singing, so she found her way back to her first love.

Reese's first job was as a singer and hostess at a nightclub in Detroit. Soon after, she was hired by the Flame Club and studied the styles of guests like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

When she finally got the chance to stand in the center of the stage, the response from the club visitors was overwhelming. The opportunity came at the right time, as she had just recorded her first album with a local label.

After working hard and making a name for herself, Della Reese snagged a hit record in 1957. "Autumn Concerto" was a song based on an Italian melody that perfectly matched Reese's singing style.