With one of the most distinct and recognizable voices in jazz, singer and pianist Blossom Dearie entertained audiences for nearly 55 years. She hit the scene just after high school singing with the Woody Herman Orchestra's Blue Flames and Alvin Rey's Blue Reys.
Dearie embarked on a solo career and, after some time in Paris, came back to the United States to record a half dozen albums for Verve Records from 1957 to 1960. These included her self-titled debut, as well as the classics "Give Him the Ooh-La-La" and "My Gentleman Friend." Her wispy, almost child-like voice set her apart from other singers and she worked with vocalist King Pleasure and longtime friend Bob Dorough. She even shared the bill with Miles Davis at The Village Vanguard. The 1970s would see a whole new generation introduced to her through the children's television program "Schoolhouse Rock." Dorough was doing much of the music for the series and Dearie would appear on several songs, among them "Unpack Your Adjectives" and "Figure Eight." The project "Multiplication Rock" with Dorough and other earned a Grammy nomination in 1973 for Best Recording for Children.
Not only was she a successful player and singer, she was also a pioneer in the record industry, by launching her record label Daffodil Records in 1973...she was the first woman to do so. Her early love of performing in intimate nightclubs continued through the remainder of her life. Dearie performed her last live show at the age of 82. Her voice continues to be one of a kind.
