Singer Blossom Dearie Dies at 82

Blossom Dearie, 82, a jazz and cabaret singer, pianist and songwriter whose career began in the 1940s and continued until she stopped performing in 2006, died Feb. 7 of natural causes at her home in Greenwich Village.

Dearie’s career continued to build during the 1960s. Usually working with a small group, she recorded albums, made commercials and appeared on television often, particularly on The Today Show, which boosted her popularity. One of her most successful albums of the period was 1964’s May I Come In?, for Capitol Records. She also recorded four albums in England and became a fixture of Ronnie Scott’s jazz club there.

In 1974, Dearie launched her own Daffodil Records label, releasing a series of albums considered among her finest.

Originally Published February 10, 2009