Blossom Dearie Dies at 82

Singer and songwriter Blossom Dearie, who became a cabaret favorite by performing regularly in such New York clubs as The Ballroom and Danny’s Skylight Room, died on February 7 after a long illness, according to various reports. She was 82.

Dearie began her career singing with jazz bands in the 1940s and was eventually signed to a recording contract with Verve Records. She was also an accomplished pianist, and played on many of her recordings.

In later years, she collaborated with some of the country’s top songwriters, including Johnny Mercer and Dave Frishbeg, and gained another measure of fame by contributing to the ABC educational series Schoolhouse Rock.