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April Daye (born 1937)[1] was a burlesque dancer, fine arts painter, recording artist and jazz singer. She is the daughter and only child of a well known St Louis Musician, John Brunelli. Brunelli is from a St Louis show business family. He is a well known jazz guitarist and violinist [2] who died at age 32. He was a recognized studio musician who had played for Carmen's Cavallero's recording sessions. Brunelli was part of the 5 piece combo led by Cavallero in St Louis in the 1930s. He was considered to be a young violin master. Another well known musician of this family was Nick Mucchi of the Nick Mucchi Orchestra.[3]
She came from St. Louis, Missouri. She started off working at Arthur Murray's dance studio in St. Louis when she was 18.[1] Soon after she left for New York City with her friend Genni Adams, where she began work as a hat check and cigarette girl at the Latin Quarters and the Copacabana, but eventually made it to the chorus line. When she went home for a visit, she met burlesque dancer Ann Stevens. Daye became Stevens' protege as Stevens helped Daye find work as a burlesque dancer.[1] She was soon a headliner act and worked in clubs including Glen Rendezvous, Moulin Rouge and the 2 O'Clock Club. She met and worked with notable individuals including Rose La Rose, Tempest Storm, Frank Sinatra, Jayne Mansfield, Lili St. Cyr, Johnny Mathis and Buddy 'Nature Boy' Rodgers.[1] Daye, also known as Miss Behaving, was often billed with the tagline 'As Refreshing As Spring.'
When she was 45, she was forced to quit dancing due to a serious leg injury. But she went on to have a varied career in other areas, using different names. She is now a jazz singer under the name Gypsy Eden.[4]
