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

Shirley Horn's music PROVES that music, for pure music sake, is thank God, still appreciated by millions. No smoke, no mirrors here. Shirley simply reveals thru her music performance, her charm, honesty & sincerity. Her music alone speaks volumes, and one of the reasons 'making music' became the DRVING FORCE in my life. Just listen to Shirley's wonderful piano comping 'rootless type chord voicings', and you'll quickly discover the tremendous musical benefits, this type of chord voicing provides the arranger keyboard player. Thanks for listening. - Scott

Scott:

I share your sadness on the loss of Shirley Horn. She was a great musician.

.

Your statement reminds me a bit of the late James Williams http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=3927

I'd been a James Williams fan for 20 years and heard him many times playing in the Boston area in places like the Willow Jazz club, Starlight Roof and the Regatta Bar. James like Shirley was softspoken and unpretentious.

My wife and I saw him in February of 2004 at Sculler's in Boston. A month or 2 later he died. But before his performance he walked around the club greeting friends and fans. If you didn't know he was James Williams, you'd think he was just another fan. That night he played with Harry Allen and vocalist Carole Sloane. It was a memorable evening.

A number of years ago while in NYC James played the Knickerbocker. Incredible this great pianist was there and only about 10 people were there. During the break James and I talked a litte about being born with talent or was it just hard work to acheive the level that he played at. He said to me " I play like I do because 99% of it was hard work."

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 10-22-2005).]

Her music was so pure, understated and elegant. There was always a sense of "hope" for the direction of jazz when she performed.
I truly share your grief Scott.