Blossom Dearie

Blossom Dearie

Dearie in the 1950s
Background information
Birth name Blossom Margrete Dearie
Born (1924-04-28)April 28, 1924
East Durham, New York, U.S.
Died February 7, 2009(2009-02-07) (aged 84)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres Vocal jazz, cool jazz, bebop, swing, traditional pop
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Vocals, piano
Years active 1952–2006
Labels Verve/PolyGram
Daffodil Records
Barclay/PolyGram Records
Capitol/EMI Records

Blossom Margrete Dearie (April 28, 1924 – February 7, 2009) was an American jazz singer and pianist, often performing in the bebop genre and remembered for her light and girlish voice.[1] One of the last supper club performers, she performed regular engagements in London and New York City over many years.[1]

Early life

Dearie was born on April 28, 1924,[2] in East Durham, New York, to a father of Scots Irish (Ulster) descent and a mother of Norwegian descent. As a child she studied classical piano but switched to jazz in her teens.

Career beginnings

After high school, Dearie moved to New York City to pursue a music career and began to sing in groups such as the Blue Flames (with the Woody Herman Orchestra) and the Blue Reys (with Alvino Rey's band) before starting her solo career.[1]

Dearie moved to Paris in 1952 and formed a vocal group, the Blue Stars of France, which included Michel Legrand's sister, Christiane Legrand, and Bob Dorough. In 1954 the group had a hit in France with a French-language version of "Lullaby of Birdland". The Blue Stars would later evolve into the Swingle Singers. While in Paris, Dearie met her future husband, the Belgian flutist and saxophonist Bobby Jaspar. On her first solo album, released two years later, she played the piano but did not sing.[1]

One of Dearie's most famous songs from that period is "The Riviera", which was written and composed by Cy Coleman and Joseph McCarthy Jr. in 1956.[1]

Late 1950s and 1960s

After returning from France, Dearie made her first six American albums as a solo singer and pianist for Verve Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s, mostly in a small trio or quartet setting. Dave Garroway, host of The Today Show and an early fan of Dearie, featured her on several occasions, increasing her exposure with the popular audience. In 1962, she recorded a radio commercial for Hires Root Beer. As it proved very popular, the LP Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs was released as a premium item that could be ordered for one dollar and a proof of purchase.

In 1952, Dearie and King Pleasure recorded "I'm in the Mood for Love" (aka "Moody's Mood for Love") and this is so noted on the Prestige CD entitled King Pleasure Sings. In 1964, she recorded the album May I Come In? (Capitol/EMI Records). It was recorded (atypically for her) with an orchestra. During this same period, she performed frequently at New York supper clubs and in 1966 made her first appearance at Ronnie Scott's club in London. She recorded four albums in the United Kingdom during the 1960s that were released on the Fontana label.

1970s and later

After a period of inactivity, Dearie recorded the album That's Just the Way I Want to Be (containing the cult song "Dusty Springfield", an ode to the British pop star, co-written by Dearie with Norma Tanega), which was released in 1970. In 1974, Dearie established her own label, Daffodil Records, which allowed her to have full control of the recording and distribution of her albums. Dearie appeared on television throughout her career, most notably giving her voice to the children's educational series Schoolhouse Rock!. Some of her pieces in this series were written by her good friend Bob Dorough, the jazz singer and composer. Her voice can be heard on "Mother Necessity".[3] "Figure Eight".[4] and "Unpack Your Adjectives".[5]

The songwriter Johnny Mercer, with whom Dearie collaborated for her 1975 song "I'm Shadowing You",[6] gave one of his final compositions to her for the title song of her 1976 Daffodil album My New Celebrity is You.[7][8]

In 1983, Dearie was awarded the first Mabel Mercer Foundation Award.[9]

Other

Dearie's voice and songs have been featured on the soundtracks of several films, including Kissing Jessica Stein, My Life Without Me, The Squid and the Whale, The Adventures of Felix, and The Artist. She also recorded songs with other singers, including Lyle Lovett. She continued to perform in clubs until 2006.[6] Among her most requested songs were "Peel Me a Grape", "I'm Hip" and "Quality Time" by Dave Frishberg.

Death

Dearie died "after a long illness" on February 7, 2009, at her apartment on Sheridan Square in Greenwich Village, New York City.[6][9] She was survived by her older brother as well as a nephew and a niece. She was cremated and her ashes were interred in Falls Church, Virginia.[10]

Discography

Prestige
EmArcy/Mercury Records
Barclay Records
Verve Records
Hires Root Beer/DIW Records
Capitol/EMI Records
Fontana Records
Daffodil Records
EMI Records
With other artists

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Profile at Allmusic.com
  2. ↑ Usually cited as 1926, her year of birth was 1924 according to her obituary in the 2009 Current Biography Yearbook, p. 653; ISBN 9780824211042/ISSN 0084-9499
  3. ↑ Yohe, et al., p. 59.
  4. ↑ Yohe, et al., p. 19
  5. ↑ Yohe, et al., p. 39.
  6. 1 2 3 "Blossom Dearie, Cult Chanteuse, Dies at 84". The New York Times. February 8, 2009.
  7. ↑ Los Angeles Times, 9 February 2009.
  8. ↑ "Blossom Dearie & Johnny Mercer's My New Celebrity Is You Finally Out on CD", Allaboutjazz.com, 21 June 2006.
  9. 1 2 Jones, Kenneth. "Blossom Dearie, Vocalist Whose Wispy Voice Caressed Show Music and Standards, Has Died", Playbill.com, 8 February 2009.
  10. ↑ "Blossom Dearie's Memorial at Find a Grave

Further reading

External links

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