Rhythm and Blues Musician. A native of the the Bronx, New York City, New York, she was a singer with one of the very first all girl groups, "The Chantels". The group was formed in the Bronx, New York, in 1956, with Lois Harris, Arlene Smith, Sonia Goring, and Rene Minus. The girls who were friends since they were children, met when they performed in the local church choir at the Saint Anthony Padua School. At the urging of Smith (who also wrote the girls' material), the girls went and auditioned for a music producer by the name of Richard Barrett (and a member of the Doo Wop group The Valentines). They were immediately signed to a contract with the End Records Label, and soon had there first single, "He's Gone", which Barrett also produced. The song released in the summer of 1957 landed at #71 on the music charts. Their next recording, the single, "Maybe", became a much bigger success, landing at #2 on the R&B Charts and #15 on the pop charts in 1958. The song also became their signature song. Over the next year the girls continued recording and had some other successes including, "I Love You So", and "Every Night (I Pray)", the last two recordings for the End Record Label. Following the release of their third and fourth singles, the girls were dropped by their record label. Both Smith and Harris left the group soon after their dismissal and eventually went onto pursue solo careers or other things, prompting the three remaining members to become a trio. In 1959, the girls recorded the song, "Summer's Love", for Barrett, and the song landed at #29 on the R&B Charts. Two years later the girls signed with the Carlton Record Label and recorded the two hits, "Well, I Told You", and "Look In My Eyes." By 1963, the group was again dismissed, this time by the Carlton Records Label. That same year they signed with the Ludix Record Label, and with them they had their last hit recording. The song, "Eternally", was released in the spring of 1963. The girls continued to sing together until 1970, when after 14 years, they disbanded. The group was re-formed a few years later by Arlene Smith with new members, and they eventually went onto tour in the oldies circuit. All the former members except smith retired from the music business after the band broke up. On December 23, 1997, Jackie passed away at the age of 56. Other recordings by The Chantels include, "Memories Of You", "He's Gone", "The Plea", "Prayee", "Congratulations", "Sure Of Love", and "Come My Little Baby."