After spending most of my weekend at a very unBukowski-like amusement park, I really feel under the weather. Being that its cold and allergy season, I feel like I'm fighting something off. And losing. Throw in a sick kid and sick mom and I'm just waiting for the seconds until I'm doctor-bound.
But forget all that...
Lena Horne, one of the world's pre-eminent ladies of jazz, has died at 92. After a quick YouTube search, it's astounding to see her body of work. What a legacy.
She joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the tender age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving to Hollywood, where she had small parts in numerous movies and more substantial parts in the films "Cabin in the Sky" and "Stormy Weather."
Sadly, due to the Red Scare and her left-leaning political views, she found herself blacklisted and unable to get work in Hollywood. As a result, she returned to her roots as a nightclub performer. She released several well received albums and announced her retirement in March 1980.
The next year, she starred in a one woman show, "Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music," which ran for more than three hundred performances on Broadway, and earned her numerous awards and accolades, and she would continue recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s.
MORE Lena Horne videos after the jump
far more than a classy lady, she was a pioneer, an innovator and in her day one hot sexy doll. great retrospective here and and fine tribute to a one of a kind dame.
ReplyDeleteMy dad would know her (nothing to do with age Anthony. :-) He's really into jazz and big band music. I do like it but would have to seek her out.)
ReplyDeleteHope you're better soon mate. We had a similar situation here a few weeks ago. All four of us bad at the same time. Not good.
Oh yes, I heard about this on national radio this morning here in the UK. "Best known for her rendition of stormy weather" was all we got, thanks for showcasing more of her work.
ReplyDeleteA real treasure. She'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute, Anthony.
she was Lady Day with a little less Life in her veins
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