Blossom Dearie

Blossom Dearie was a jazz singer. Her full given name at birth was Marguerite Blossom Dearie. She died on February 7, 2009 at the age of 82.

There is a good chance you do not know who she was. She was most private but was well known by those who heard her perform. She alternated between New York and London. She never played in big venues but only in small ones. In New York it was mostly at Danny’s Skylight Room on West 46^th Street. 

It was at Danny's that I heard Blossom Dearie perform. 

The obituary in the New York Times on Monday February 9, 2009 described her work as a genre unto itself. They say she blurred the line between jazz and cabaret. “An interpretive minimalist with caviar taste in songs and musicians. “

It is most inspiring when someone can devote her life to something and keep going for so long. If she had kept on and not retired she might still be with us. 

Blossom Dearie would qualify as a proponent of Cowboy Safety. She knew who she was. She did not seek levels that had no lasting value. She was sustainable. Her style of music is classic. By alternating between New York and London she could renew for each location. When she returned to Danny's it was like a reunion and it was like she was new. She created a type of scarcity. She was able to operate independently. So many singers have a large entourage and a tractor trailer and a bus as a minimum. There is no time off. Blossom Dearie had no travel time except the occasional move between New York and London. She did not have to write music.  She could select from the standards. 

For a treat go to You Tube and look her up. “I’m Hip” was one of her main songs.