I just found out that one of my biggest musical influences, Shirley Horn, passed away today. I am so very very SAD!
http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,17630,00.html?fdnews

I first started listening to her when I was studying music in college (late 80's). Her behind the beat vocal style, and her long drawn out vocal phrasing was her musical trademark. Her ability to play & sing, yet keeping both piano playing & vocals sounding like they came from TWO different people is a rarity her jazz contemparies (including Quincy Jones) have long admired.

I was lucky enough to meet this soft spoken women in person, and will never forget how unpretentious she was. On one particular occasion she played an intimate concert at Yoshi's Nightclub in Oakland, I'll never forget how she simply stepped on stage, walked over to the piano, and placed her bright red purse ON TOP of it before sitting down to play. She will be GREATLY MISSED. Here's a link to some of my personal favorite albums of hers:
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1005698
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1005703
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1005704
http://www.towerrecords.com/product.aspx?pfid=1005700


Scott