Joni James is an American singer who made significant contributions to popular music in the 1950s and 1960s. Known for her warm and expressive voice, she had a series of hits including "Why Don't You Believe Me?" and "Have You Heard." James' style, a blend of traditional pop and light jazz, was distinctive of the era and influenced the evolution of pop music. Although she retired in the early 1960s to focus on her family, James' influence remains evident in the industry.