Shirley Horn

[verena]

I heard Shirley Horn just died. Hope for her that she was ready, even though I didn't like her. I think she was suffering.

May she rest in peace now, is all I can say. I don't know anything about her personality, career, life...

[TRX-C]

I'm extemely sorry to hear about Shirley's passing. She is one of my favorites. I was fortunate enough to see her perform in 2002 as part of the SF Jazz festival. It was a dream night of music - an evening with Shirley Horn and Ahmad Jamal.

I was actually shocked when Ms. Horn took the stage, as I was unaware that she was in such ill health; However, once she began her set, I found that her incredible voice was not compromised. I was held rapt by the power of it. She brought the house down with her version of "A Time For Love".

I play her at least once a week. I think my favorite performance of hers was her contribution to a night of music held in Rio honoring Antonio Carlos Jobim. She sang "Once I Loved" and simply brought the house down. In fact, when she finished her song, Herbie Hancock, who was the emcee for the evening commented on the brilliance of her performance by stating, "Well, there's nothing more that can be said about that".

She's inspired and influenced many artists, including Miles Davis and our own Diana, who choose Shirley as her selection for Verve's "Ultimate Jazz Artists" series. Diana also contributed to the liner notes for "Ultimate Shirley Horn". Diana cited Shirley as a huge influence, and she said "I loved her the first time I heard her." Diana's often said that her version of "Baby All The Time" was influced by Shirley's version of that song. There are some other tunes covered by Diana that have a definite Shirley Horn flavor as well. I'm sure many mourn the loss of this great talent and legend.

[Coda]

I have two of Shirley Horn's albums ("Ultimate Shirley Horn" with Diana's selections and liner notes, and "Here's to Life." I like her versions of "Do It Again," (although Diana's version is my favorite), and "(Being) Green," which I think is a deceptively simple song, "Hard-Hearted Hannah, the Vamp of Savannah" and "Here's to Life," "Return to Paradise" and"Isn't It a Pity?"

I can hear from Horn's stylings why Diana was influenced by her. Horn had an unpretentious delivery, almost as if she were thinking...or singing...out loud her thoughts. I think Diana captures that very well from her "All for You" album and onward. In addition, Horn accompanied herself on the piano, and so, she was a role model from that perspective.
Horn wasn't afraid of silence. I don't recall hearing her scat. Not that there's anything wrong with it. It's just a style preference. Reminds me of Japanese art...a simple, elegant design, done in natural tones, with lots of space and air around the subjects.

God rest her soul.