Shirley Horn, 71, Passes

Shirley Horn, the legendary pianist and vocalist, died last week in her hometown of Washington, D.C. after a lengthy illness.She was 71 years
old.
"Shirley Horn was a true innovator. She created a unique style of playing and singing that was not only original, but so penetrating and so much her own that few dared try to copy it. She was also a great character and I will miss all of my conversations with her, which were delivered in the same deadpan, ironic style that we all knew and loved
from her performances. Her passing is a great loss to Verve, to Jazz and to the world," commented Ron Goldstein, president and CEO of the Verve Music Group.
Born on May 1, 1934, Horn began to play the piano at age four. After majoring in music at Howard University, Horn put together her first trio in 1954. Miles Davis invited her to open for him at the Village Vanguard in 1960, an engagement which led to a recording contract with Mercury
Records and a life-long friendship with Davis. Quincy Jones became an admirer and mentor of Horn's during this period, and produced two of her albums: "Loads Of Love" (Mercury, 1963) and "Shirley Horn with Horns"
(Mercury, 1963).
After parting ways with the label over creative differences, she recorded a number of albums for the Danish Steeplechase label which cemented her reputation as a singular talent.
Horn was a devoted wife and mother, so much so that she eschewed touring for many years and instead chose to perform primarily in clubs around the Washington, D.C.
and Baltimore area.
In 1986, she signed with Verve and made a