Dearie, Blossom (1926–)

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Dearie, Blossom (1926–)

American jazz-pop singer and pianist. Born Blossom Dearie, April 28, 1926, in East Durham, NY; m. Bobby Jaspar (Belgian jazz woodwind player), 1956 (died 1963).

Legendary jazz singer, who accompanied herself on piano, alone or with her trio or quartet; early in career, began singing with vocal groups like the Blue Flames (with Woody Herman's band) and the Blue Reys (with Alvino Rey's); moved to Paris (1952) and founded the group The Blue Stars of France, which hit the charts with a French version of "Lullaby of Birdland" (1954); signed with Verve (1956); recorded standards and wrote the song "Blossom's Blues"; formed her own record label, Daffodil Records (1965); had long career in New York supper clubs; albums include My Gentleman Friend (1959), May I Come In? (1964), Blossom Dearie Sings (1974) and My Favorite Celebrity Is You (1975); billed as The Jazz Singers, performed at Carnegie Hall with Anita O'Day and Joe Williams.