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Irene Kral was an American jazz singer born on January 18, 1932, in Illinois, USA. She began her professional singing career as a teenager, performing with bands led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson. In the late 1950s, she joined Maynard Ferguson's band and also sang with notable groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne. Kral later embarked on a solo career, but after getting married and moving to Los Angeles, she took a break from performing. From 1974 to 1977, she recorded three acclaimed albums for Choice and Catalyst, including two duet sets with pianist Alan Broadbent, "Where Is Love" and "Gentle Rain," which are regarded as classics. Her interpretation of "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is considered definitive. A ballad singer, Kral cited Carmen McRae as one of her inspirations. Irene Kral passed away on August 15, 1978, at the age of 46 due to breast cancer in Encino, California. She gained posthumous fame when her recordings were featured in Clint Eastwood's 1995 film, "The Bridges of Madison County."

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