Sad, sad day. Blossom Dearie has passed away. She wrote some beautiful and classic music for the seminal kids educational program, “School House Rocks.” Her beloved melancholy song, “Figure 8,” was recorded by Elliott Smith (it became the title of his penultimate album) and was included in Noah Baumbach’s “The Squid & the Whale” in various moments.
Via the New York Times.
A singer, pianist and songwriter with an independent spirit who zealously guarded her privacy, Ms. Dearie pursued a singular career that blurred the line between jazz and cabaret. An interpretive minimalist with caviar taste in songs and musicians, she was a genre unto herself. Rarely raising her sly, kittenish voice, Ms. Dearie confided song lyrics in a playful style below whose surface layers of insinuation lurked. Her cheery style influenced many younger jazz and cabaret singers, most notably Stacey Kent and the singer and pianist Daryl Sherman.
God her songs were so good! Rest in peace.
