Noriko Awaya

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Noriko Awaya (淡谷のり子, Awaya Noriko) (August 12, 1907 – September 22, 1999) was a Japanese female Soprano chanson and popular music (ryūkōka) singer. She has been dubbed the "Queen of Blues" in Japan. Awaya was born as Nori Awaya (淡谷のり Awaya Nori) in Aomori, Aomori Prefecture. She was the oldest daughter of a wealthy merchant family, but in 1910 her family's home was destroyed in the Aomori City fire. Ten years later they were completely bankrupt, and in 1923 she, along with her mother and younger sister, went to Tokyo. There, she was admitted to the piano department of a music school. Later, her predisposition towards singing was discovered and she was admitted to the vocal department. With the aim of becoming an opera singer, she made an extensive study of the foundations of classical music. However, due to her family's poverty, she was forced to leave school for a year to work as a nude model, in order to cover living expenses. Eventually, she was able to return to the music academy, and she graduated top of her class. After Awaya graduated from the school in 1929, she became a classical singer. However, she soon began to sing popular songs because the salary of a classical music performer was very low. Her 1937 song "Farewell Blues" (別れのブルース Wakare no Burūsu?) became a hit song. In 1938, she also released "Rainy Blues" (雨のブルース Ame no Burūsu?). In Taiwan, the song was later given the alternative title "Han Yu Qu" (寒雨曲). In 1939, she recorded the song "Yoru no Platform" (夜

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albums

私の好きな歌

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淡谷のり子の世界 〜別れのブルース〜

私の好きな歌 EMI篇 <LA CHANSON AU JAPON>

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歌手 淡谷のり子 歌に託した半生記

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Wakare No Blues

Ma Chanson Favorite <La Chanson Au Japon>

Mes Chères Chansons: Victor Recordings 1951-1959

Is It Really Goodbye? More Ryūkōka Recordings, 1929-1938

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Watashino Sukina Uta (Mes Cheres Chansons)

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Rendez-vous on the air - Hetalia FST

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Noriko Awaya No Sekai: Wakare No Blues

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懐かしのSP時代「淡谷のり子 全曲集」

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