The best female jazz singer we saw in our lifetime just passed away. In addition to possessing the authentic mix of grit and glamour in her voice, Shirley Horn was also a gifted pianist/bandleader. Bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams played with her for years and years, and together the three created a strange but compelling group language, especially remarkable on ballads. We won't forget a live "The Shadow Of Your Smile," played as slowly as you could count it, with every carefully placed beat by Horn, Ables, and Williams measured like pours of a cask-strength single malt. We raise a glass of the good stuff to you now, Ms. Horn.
