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Shirley Horn (May 1, 1934 - October 20, 2005)
Shirley Horn was just in her teens, already playing piano at a supper club, when a patron asked her to sing "Melancholy Baby." That may be the night a great career was born. Or perhaps it started even earlier, when 4-year-old Shirley discovered her grandmother's piano. Or a bit
later, when 20-year-old Shirley put together her first trio. Or when Miles Davis -- eight years Shirley's senior -- insisted that she open for him in New York at the Village Vanguard and Quincy Jones signed her to Mercury, the top label. People may have thought she was on the rise then, but Shirley Horn's career and her music have been one long ramp up, one slow and very gradual crescendo. On this JazzSet, we turn up the quiet and listen to Shirley Horn in one of her last public performances.
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We open our Shirley Horn tribute with her trio from the 1994 Monterey Jazz Festival, music by Leon Russell and Burt Bacharach. Then we advance 10 years to a Kennedy Center concert. Four younger artists play music from the Shirley Horn songbook. Finally, Shirley Horn comes to the stage in her wheelchair (she called it her Cadillac), to conclude the concert with "Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away…"
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Shirley spoke to the audience before she sang "Here's to Life," saying,
". . .this is such a wonderful occasion. First, I want to thank all the people who came here, all the talent I was able to witness tonight, some I didn't know! All you wonderful people, shall I call you my fans?
"I love you all! And for the wonderful honor bestowed upon me, the best I can do is say thank you, thank you from all my heart.
"I'd like to introduce these musicians. George Mesterhazy came along, and he's been playing this piano -- such a wonderful guy and a great musician. Then, a new guy in the band: Ed Howard, who came along when I needed a new bassist. Ed Howard! And Steve Williams, who's been with me through everything, my soulmate! We love you all, thank you very much."
We won't forget you, Shirley Horn.
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