Blossom Dearie

When American musician Blossom Dearie died in 2009 aged 82, The Guardian called her "one of the unique jazz voices of the second half of the 20th century". Noted for her infectious child-like voice, she made many popular recordings from 'Once Upon a Summertime' in 1958 to 'It's Alright to Be Afraid' in 2006.

Born in New York she played the piano and studied music as a child and when she left high school she began performing in vocal groups. In 1952 she relocated to Paris and formed The Blue Stars of France with whom she recorded a French version of 'Lullaby of Birdland'. Back in America she became a fixture in New York clubs and performed in Carnegie Hall with Anita O'Day and Joe Williams. She also became very popular in the UK in the early 1960s and made regular appearances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club with an album 'Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott's' in 1966 and 'Live in London Vol. 2' in 2004. She liked to perform for youngsters and her only Grammy Award nomination came in 1973 for Best Recording for Children for her album 'Multiplication Rock'.

She appeared with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore on television and toured Europe and Australia. Her songs appear in many movies and television shows including 'Sex and the City', 'The Squid and the Whale' and 'Call the Midwife'. Dearie retired in 2006 due to health difficulties after a final engagement at Danny's Skylight Room in Manhattan. She died at her New York home.