On this date in 1934 in our jazz history, vocalist/pianist extraordinaire Shirley Horn was born in Washington, D.C.

Here's her bio from Allmusic.com:

"A superior ballad singer and a talented pianist, Shirley Horn put off potential success until finally becoming a major attraction while in her 50s. She studied piano from the age of four. After attending Howard University, Horn put together her first trio in 1954, and was encouraged in the early '60s by Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. She recorded three albums during 1963-1965 for Mercury and ABC/Paramount, but chose to stick around Washington, D.C., and raise a family instead of pursuing her career. In the early '80s, she began recording for SteepleChase, but Shirley Horn really had her breakthrough in 1987 when she started making records for Verve, an association that continued on records like 1998's I Remember Miles. You're My Thrill followed in early 2001."

My personal love affair with Shirley began in 1993. Upon a friend's recommendation, I bought the Glengarry Glen Ross movie soundtrack which introduced me to Shirley singing "You'd Better Go Now" and also Jimmy Scott singing "Street of Dreams." About a month later, I was shopping for music and saw Shirley's "Here's To Life" CD and purchased it. I was in euphoria. Never had I heard such wonderful phrasing sang slowly coupled with such brilliant yet efficient piano playing. I saw her in concert for the first time at Ravinia just days before my 30th birthday. From beginning to end, it was sheer pleasure. I was seated so that I could see her fingers touch the keys while she played and sang her enchantingly beautiful melodies. She had the ability to make the most from silence. I have seen her several times since and each time has been amazing. I now own 19 of her CD's and every compilation I can find that she has sung on. I would recommend her 1992 album "Here's to Life" as the quintessential album for your collection. It was produced by Johnny Mandel and every song is a treasure. I once read that "songs are happy when Shirley sings them." I know this to be true.

Here's some additional titles that you will also definitely enjoy:

1963 - "Loads of Love/Shirley Horn with Horns"
1965 - "Travelin' Light"
1987 - "I Thought About You - Live At Vine St."
1988 - "Softly"
1988 - "Close Enough For You"
1991 - "You Won't Forget Me" (featuring Miles Davis)
1993 - "Light Out of the Darkness - A Tribute to Ray Charles"
1994 - "I Love You, Paris"
1995 - "The Main Ingredient" (recorded in her home)
1998 - "I Remember Miles"
2001 - "You're My Thrill" (her most recent CD)

Her new Verve album "May The Music Never End" will be released on 6/24.

Notable albums where Shirley is featured on vocals and/or piano:

1990 - Carmen McRae "Sarah - Dedicated To You" (Shirley on piano with her trio)
1991 - Toot Thielemans - "For My Lady" (Shirley on piano and vocals with her trio)
1995 - Jeffrey Smith - "Ramona" (Shirley on piano with her trio)
1996 - "Antonio Carlo Jobim and Friends" (vocals and piano)
1997 - "A Tribute to Oscar Peterson - Live at The Town Hall" (vocals)
1999 - Charlie Haden Quartet West - "The Art of the Song" (vocals)
2001 - Bill Charlap - "Stardust" (vocals)

Sound Clips

Here's to Life
How Am I To Know
Estate'
Something Happens to Me
I Wanna Be Loved
Get Out Of Town
Come A Little Closer/Wild Is The Wind
Only The Lonely
Do It Again

For a real treat, check out the Shirley Horn Discography. It is definitely an impressive body of work.