Jazz Great Dearie Dead at 82

Blossom Dearie, whose career as a jazz and cabaret singer spanned six decades, died peacefully in her sleep at her Greenwich village apartment over the weekend. She was 82. Dearie continued performing until 2006, and her last public appearance was at the now-defunct Danny's Skylight Room, reports the New York Times. Her playful style influenced generations of jazz singers.

Born Marguerite Blossom Dearie in East Durham, NY, in 1926, she was a classically trained pianist who became fascinated by jazz and Big Band music in her teens. She sang with the Woody Herman and Alvino Rey bands before embarking on the solo career that would make her a jazz legend. Several of her her albums are cult classics. 
(More jazz stories.)