Blosson Dearie | Artist
Margrethe Blossom Dearie was an American jazz singer and pianist born 1924 in East Durham, New York. She had a recognizably light and girlish voice and performed regular engagements in London, Paris and New York City over many years, collaborating with many musicians, including Johnny Mercer, Miles Davis, Jack Segal, Johnny Mandel, Duncan Lamont, Bob Dorough, and Jay Berliner. She was also a prolific recording artist in her own right. Born to a Scots Irish father and Norwegian mother, Dearie reportedly received the name "Blossom" because her brothers brought peach blossoms home the day she was born. After high school, Dearie moved to Manhattan to pursue a music career. Dropping her first name, she 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. Dearie moved to Paris in 1952 and formed a vocal group, the Blue Stars which included Michel Legrand's sister, Christiane, and Bob Dorough. In 1954, the group had a hit with a French-language version of "Lullaby of Birdland", arranged by Michel Legrand. The Blue Stars would later evolve into the Swingle Singers. After returning Stateside in 1957, Dearie made her first 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, Dearie recorded a radio commercial for Hires Root Beer. As it proved very popular, the LP Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs was released as a promotional item. In 1964, Dearie recorded the album May I Come In? on Capitol Records accompanied by a full orchestra. During this period, she frequently performed at New York supper clubs and, in 1966, made her first appearance at Ronnie Scott's club in London. Dearie recorded four albums in the UK during the 1960s that were released on the Fontana label, including a recording of her 1966 performance at Ronnie Scott's. From her discography of 23 studio albums, some standouts include Blossom Dearie (1957), Once Upon a Summertime (1958), My Gentleman Friend (1959), May I Come In? (1964), and Blossom Dearie Sings (1973). Dearie has been largely overlooked in mainstream jazz circles, presumably because of her light vocal style, which was harshly described by a critic in The New Yorker as a "childish treble" singing "postgraduate lyrics". However it was her light and airy style, with masterly control of jazz phrasing, coupled with an excellent piano technique, which made Dearie so distinctive. Shortly after her death, no lesser talent than Bill Evans gave her a rave review, quoting "when I heard Blossom Dearie play that way it really knocked me out", he went on to name her as one of his models of piano playing." Dearie also founded Daffodil Records in 1973, one of the first independent labels founded by a woman.
Artist Website : wikipedia/Blossom_Dearie
Featured Albums: Blossom Dearie
Related Artists: Swingle Singers, Johnny Mercer, Michel Legrand
