Blossom Dearie - 'I'm Hip'

This is a remembrance of Blossom Dearie who died recently, and I find the song 'I'm Hip' most appropriate as a description of her.

[@jcavilia1]

Nothing like her. My wife and I became fans in 1974 after we heard her on KJAZ-FM in Alameda (sadly, gone almost 30 years now). We were newly married and living in San Francisco. When Blossom did a gig at a club in S.F. we went and were totally mesmerized. Her pal Bob Dorough played the opening set, and he was marvelous, too. For the transition, Dorough started singing, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and she came on stage and joined in the duet. A sweet memory, bittersweet since my wife died a year ago, but sweet nonetheless.

[@mikegalvin9801]

I remember KJAZZ too (lived in the City from 1977 to 2018) and saw her at Great American Music Hall and once with my folks in Chicago. She was wonderful

[@broxmouth]

People should understand two things: 1. Blossom Dearie was UNIQUE - she was a big star on the international jazz and cabaret festival scene, and there was literally nobody like her. Fiercely intelligent, funny, ironic, a gifted musician and loved wherever she went. Secondly, the camera phone had not been invented back in the 1980s or the 90s, the person taking her photograph was using a full camera rig with a large flash gun - that's all there was back them. This was a large concert venue and 'cameras were forbidden' - because in those days, if you wanted a photo for a magazine assignment, you went to 'The Press Call' where there was just you and the artist. The actual performance was far more 'meaningful' than it is today. you may notice that almost everyone in the audience is wearing 'formal dress' - the men are in evening suits, the women in dresses - it was a gala occasion. So taking a press photo was just 'rude' - breaking up the performance. She just told the guy: "cameras are not allowed in here" - she was asserting the stage as her 'sacred space'. That's the way it was when we had real artists, rather than pop stars..

[@clancykobane9102]

but the way she did it was off-putting and tactless. if that's her image then i guess she presented it well.

[@andyorr1597]

Telling grown fucking adults the rules is never tactless or rude. The dick with the camera deserved what he got.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Clancy Coburn you've GOT to be kidding! She was of anyone that was more classy than the Kardashians that you're used to I guess. They're of my time but I DARE not refer to them as having class. Blossom is what class is and will always be. They could take a lesson

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

The rude thing is NOT being able to see performances like this anymore because of rude people that talk, play with their phones and do almost anything BUT enjoy the performance. I do miss a good evening in a nice club.

[@rogerd3051]

as a live performance photographer back in the 80's , there was no need for a flash during concerts , that I agree would spoil the mood for most people . Most Jazz artist were happy to have their photos taken on stage, but some female performers were more concerned that they may not look great , this applies for most female performers.

[@PeterBrownPianist]

Of all piano vocalists, Blossom is by far my favourite. Her singing is amazing - every note bang in tune and she always tells a story - you hear every word. Every song is about the music and the words - never about Blossom Dearie. She is a true artist, conveying art, not her personality. Now we come to her piano playing. Instinctively, she always gets it right - never too much or too little. A very gifted player, she never falls to the temptation of playing in a florid way. Musical genius.

[@lauraandrews4641]

Hello Peter... It's Laura !!!!!!!! Live in Lockdown! On Facebook.....will get in touch. Doing music show on Gingerfeather fm..........

[@cynthiagoldstein1133]

I'm going to unpack my adjectives about this amazing lady - incredibly genuine, talented, beautiful, and intelligent, and the list goes on and on, like an 8 placed on its side, a symbol of infinity. How I wish there were artists - and in general, people - like her today.

[@charlesperforms]

nice reference to Unpack your Adjectives! that was the first song I heard of blossom back when I was a kid

[@miropribanic5581]

you start entering the world of Blossom Dearie...and you ask yourself "Where have I been all those years not knowing her?"....but in return you get a double gift, because apart from getting acquainted with an absolutely unique jazz artist you learn about Dave Frishberg, too. I think there is no-one who can bring out the sense of humour in his song-writing as well as Blossom did.

[@jbsuitprothe70s]

As a real musician... I am blown away by her skill. Independent rhythm between her voice scats and her hands playing the piano. And do you hear these amazing chords and riffs 🎶. Omg!!! True musical talent.

[@barnard-baca]

I agree. Also a musician. And I do NOT find Veronica Swift's version to be subtle or ironic.

[@eugenesedita]

She talked about how much she practiced: all day , many hours.

[@markgreen4041]

Her voice mesmerized me as a child...it still does.

[@madlove1581]

What a masterpiece of a musician ~ sublime pianist and such a sweet, sweet singer

[@TheFrenchrussian]

I remember the Time when Miss "Blossom Dearie" played at Ronnie Scotts in London. She always wore white, the piano was white. The Club was always packed. She was well received in London. Thanks for downloading .

[@tryjzz]

This was performed at the 'Silk Cut Jazz Festival' in Cork, Ireland in 1983.

[@patheap]

I first heard Blossom Dearie n the Peter Cook and Dudley Moore program. Always a class act.

[@avarmadillo]

She was the greatest! What time, and what a perfect voice!

[@boomerguy9935]

The first time I heard her sing, I was hooked for life.

[@garyweisel7084]

She said the right thing. Respect the artist. As usual, Blossom delivered a great performance!

[@TheMadamfee1234]

Jeez she don't mess. Here that wee voice. " There's no pictures allowed in here," that would have scared me 😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JP51ism]

"Jazz hands" at the end, literally, on the keys ~ so hip!

[@dkbeanlaw]

Blossom does these Dave Frischberg songs so perfectly! I first met her in the 60s in New York. What a unique treasure she was.

[@kenwindsor]

I went to see her at Ronnie Scotts in London. Before the show I got talking to a guy at the bar and mentioned that I was a great fan of hers and had travelled up from Somerset to see her perform. Imagine my surprise when it turned out that he was the late Jeff Clyne, her Bass player for the show. He said "Come up and see me stage side after the show and I will introduce you. " This I did and Blossom was just enchanting, immediately dipping into her bag, bringing out a cassette, signing it and giving it me. I must add this impression was not that of a star struck fan - because at the time I was also hosting my own celebrity chat show on the radio and had seen the good and the bad stars coming in and out of my studio.

[@dabeamer42]

Two treasures there -- Frishberg's lyrics and Dearie's voice. Neither could be replicated.

[@ErictheJazzer]

I was so very sorry to hear of the passing away of the glorious Blossom. She was/is a true jazz original. An underated jazz pianist, her singing style was unique. An unforgetteable performer. An unforgetteable woman.

[@royJazzzz]

Absolutely wonderful. Thanks so very much.

[@tantrick]

I still love here, the love attitude about "no camera" is totally appropriate. Bought her a red wine and talked at her bar where she performed before. the story is tooo goood to be told... I think she is sooo cool.

[@bob4247]

I first heard Blossom in the mid-sixties. And she was and continued to be incredible.

[@jimbo477]

I went to a performance of hers back in about 1984. She corrected someone in the audience for doing something. She didn't allow any service during the show. She had guts and stood up for herself. Before the show, I made the mistake of tipping the waitress $5 to deliver a song request to her. The waitress thought I was sending the $5 tip to Ms Dearie, who of course refused. Blossom Dearie never took song requests. I didn't know that. The waitress returned the $5 to a baffled and embarrassed me. After the show she signed albums and was perfectly nice. Lucky for me she didn't know that I was the guy who sent the song request.

[@Avery_4272]

What a superb sense of pitch and clarity of voice, and great choices of material. I also like that she honors the composers by stating their names. She's so terrific!

[@bigreed43]

I present to you the voice of "Schoolhouse Rock "Figure 8". Funny how the voice of this person is so etched in my childhood memories but I knew absolutely nothing about her. At least until after her death. Unique talent this one. R.I.P. Blossom...this kid from Cleveland remembers.

[@paulmc3457]

Omg! I totally remember that tune too! Must be around the same age, thanks for the trivia tidbit, bro! 👌

[@Countercommie]

Also, "Unpack Your Adjectives"!

[@alexandramarberry1023]

This is exactly how it went with me. This song of hers popped up in my Spotify randomized station and I immediately wondered if she sang Figure 8, which is also etched in my brain. So I had to look her up and learn about her!

[@drchilledair]

In 1971 I attended a Dearie performance at some little smokey mirrored boite on NY’s Upper East Side. Her new album on Fontana, That's Just the Way I Want it To Be, had just been released. Even though the recording strayed away from the singer-pianist's usual jazzmatazz and was a little on the pop-ish side, still I adored it. After the show, I approached her: "I love your new album," I told her. "Well, I hate it," she said peremptorily, brushed me aside and flounced off. --- Shared Air (amazon)

[@TaichiStraightlife]

Fabulous story!... PS: what does " Shared Air (amazon)" mean?

[@healmyroots]

Haha ouch

[@silversurfermusicco5263]

I just bought this album lol its great

[@sky-zc3uz]

​@@TaichiStraightlife pretty sure they're advertising their shop

[@palealien]

The Voice. "No pictures are allowed in here." Yes ma'am.

[@DandyDon1]

I can't believe it's been 10 years since Blossom's passing away. Enjoyed her many visits to Los Angeles California. I was also very lucky to have her as a business associate.

[@Josefesque]

Oh, anyone who's ever seen Blossom perform in a club has at one time or another witnessed her stern lectures to the audience. Don't mess with Miss Blossom, is all that she means to tell us.

[@johnnysongdujour]

perfect - and what diva can't point her finger at a presumptuous punter? Genius!

[@violinoscar]

I saw her on an Australian tour in 1976. She opened for Stephane Grappelli. I was hip then and still am.

[@Caligulita]

I only heard of her because of Elton John naming his piano after her but oh lord I’m immediately in love. She’s incredible. ❤❤❤❤

[@olliemartinelli4034]

Outstanding artist. Her piano arrangements are stunning and stunningly played

[@jeffzonamusic]

she ain't lyin' she really is hip and just lays it out there like no man's business. woman groove man!

[@RobRVA]

It's the "no pictures are allowed in here". When we saw her in NYC much later a guy put his foot on the stage and she was NOT having that either, made him remove it.

[@arnie409]

An amazing performer. She can do it all. She makes it look so easy and I love her scatting!! Arnie Fox

[@RITardNation]

I want this whole concert!

[@stuartdryer1352]

I love her piano playing as much as her singing

[@kelvinfinch7851]

Iwas just a kid back in the 70s. But I love to listen to her unpack her adjectives.

[@jamesb2059]

She was extraordinary!

[@theappraiserlady]

Perfect performance. Great song.

[@michaelmachine]

such a fabulous and unique artist :-)

[@dadafontana]

WOW! Great post of a Dearie performance BRAVO!

[@andreawilkerson2006]

Superb musicianship

[@Swayzee68]

@scatmando -- You're right. What bummed me out about it was that I only really knew her from "Schoolhouse Rock" and had never thought to look her up and see if there were videos of her performing (I had actually assumed she was black until I saw this video of her). So this video was my introduction to Blossom Dearie. Great! LOL :) So I'm glad you wrote; I'll try not to judge her on this video alone!

[@rideallmyfavorite]

I could listen to this song over and over, loving it... Such cool jazz. And I think of sijild every time - I know she prolly enjoys it as well - in the same/similar way. I could just snap my fingers to the beat of this song...Wow-yes. - and look into her eyes - My Rose, sijild. "Maybe we are" indeed.

[@rideallmyfavorite]

EVERY single TIME I listen. to-this-music - to BD singing... playing... wow - I am just speechless. I think if I were teaching composition- BD's music would be one of my staples - I'd add it in constantly to my study-lessons, etc. That, and Percy Aldridge Grainger - I know, different, but... still Jazz, and lucid regarding harmonization.

[@jeffpagan7735]

She was superb, sadly underrated or forgotten by most.

[@dogranch]

When I met Blossom in 2004 she was very sweet. My wife took our picture a few times and Blossom got up from her seat and said "let's take a good one!"

[@olafreinhardweyer]

I never heard Blossom before youtube. She blew me away instantly. Shes really unique. I another vid i hear a talking, she is a bit older in that and you can hear it too. She second she starts singing she has that same voice she always had. You might say It Amazes Me :P And there I like she so much often honors the song authors too. Hey, browse for Claudine Longet. Try find "Nothing to losse" (which is a contradiction, because than you can't find it, haha!) Claudie soft too but VERY different.

[@pulpyshilpy]

her voice is always sooo young all the time!!!! i dig the way she gives that shutup call...she's lovely

[@jkev1122]

I love that she did Schoolhouse Rock when I was a kid in the 70s.

[@keilahmichalspann8883]

OMG! Your comment just made me realize she is singing the one for Adjectives!!! I'm almost in tears now. I always loved that short and the voice. So happy to know it was her!!!

[@gilbertovazquez570]

I simply love Blossom.

[@grai]

I think the "no cameras are allowed in here!" was said with such ferocity they were stunned into silence for the entire song

[@sophia-marieyoung6773]

That didn't sound like ferocity to me, it sounded firm, but not impolite.

[@mikegalvin9801]

Actually at the time you would have been surprised someone was rude enough to bring a camera to a show. The upside was we actually saw the performances as we weren't busy taking selfies and posting "Look at me at the cool concert" to social media.

[@grai]

@@mikegalvin9801 also if it was an old fashioned flash going off you can see why its so disturbing for the performers She could have been a bit nicer about it though!

[@mikegalvin9801]

@@grai I once saw Mary Travers (performing solo sans Peter and Paul) at Tulagis in Boulder mid 70s. She literally stopped mid song, walked into the audience and seized a camera from some schmuck. "See me after the show. You better hope it goes well as if I'm in a good mood I just might give it back." In fairness she also said "If you'd asked nicely if at the door I would have posed and signed your program too." I also remember my friend Wendy whispering something like "I bet she just went up about 50% of hotness for all you boys." "Uh. Absolutely. Discipline me please!"

[@marmeecruz6191]

Love her and her music.

[@grai]

yeah - its a great rendition - she's so skilled with such a light subtle style notice that the crowd sat in silence tho! and all the other versions I've heard of this they laugh all the way through - I think the audience were as shocked as we were!

[@xwagner76]

I *love* this version!!!

[@Felix_Ruber]

I second the above. If you respect art, respect the artist and venue.

[@robertgary3561]

I remember the days when there would be signs "No flash photography". The flashes back then were super bright (and only single use, you replaced them each picture you took).

[@lohphat]

Some people can’t handle a woman being assertive. Just as Patti Lupone chastised an audience member for being on their phone, here Blossom rightly chastised a thoughtless audience member who thought the rules didn’t apply to them. Good. I’m tired of the narcissists who don’t care about anything other than their needs. That stage belonged to Blossom, not the photographer.

[@habackuk]

Way cool! Dammit! What a lady!

[@Currabell]

Her piano playing is delightful too.

[@tedrickenator]

Can you imagine how distracting it would be to perform live on stage with a person shooting pics? She is remarkably composed and performed perfectly *after* having to deal with that -- what a pro.

[@Katimashi]

tell that due NO PICS IN HERE!!! I love it. Born in the wrong time.

[@TheMadamfee1234]

Beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@evanstj5]

Fabulous. This is the America we love.

[@hellozio]

@tregibbs for one thing it can put a performer off when there are flashes going. they also dont want crappy pics of them going out unapproved. nowadays with camera phones there is no control

[@brentaudi4424]

Awesome! Thanks for the video!

[@ewallt]

What a talent! To be able to play the piano like that OR sing so well is enough, let alone both. Not too many can do that. Nat King Cole, Diana Krall come to mind. Btw, when she recorded it earlier, "Bobby Darin" instead of "Sammy Davis" knew her friend.

[@HarrilMullany]

People who take videos/photos are definitely not truly present with their 5 senses at a performance. More like: I'll watch this later and absorb it when I'm not involved with my device. I guess it's great for youtube viewers (thankyou!) yet not respecting the live art which is 100% coming at them in this one amazing moment.

[@mikern2001]

She made it very clear, that no picture taking was allowed when she performed. She concentrated on what she was doing, and no doubt found it distracting when people would talk or take pictures. Plus the audience could enjoy the performance without distraction. She had a wonderful, tiny voice, and every nuance, could be appreciated if people would not talk, during her performances. She wasnt banging on a guitar or drums, but playing intimately, even when in a large hall.

[@MartinSlidelMusicComposer]

Love you BD. xxx

[@lukalemander9331]

lmao, she says camera's aren't allowed and folks are acting like she cursed his entire family, ya'll thin skinned.

[@bojack40]

Luka Lemander good for her. Nowadays rudeness is the norm with everyone thinking they have to be allowed to do whatever they want, no matter the effect it has on others. You don’t want to be chastised? Show some respect

[@1122redbird]

@@bojack40 I couldn't agree with you more. These old jazz musicians come from a simpler time when etiquette mattered and life moved slower.

[@kingbernie4303]

@@1122redbird Strange to think of it this way because life did in fact move slower and etiquette mattered, yet jazz was literally the breaker of barriers of etiquette and conservatism and the catalyst for speeding up what was seen as an archaic and rigid way of thinking... at one point at least

[@samgarviso5288]

Kind of nasty of her 😮

[@Duxinflite]

So true, the belief seems to be,' I bought a ticket, I can do anything I want.'

[@silvanusslaughter]

@ColumbiaPerna She's the talent, not a slave or a jukebox.

[@JazzmanJibilla]

Oh Yeah. I love her work. RIP Blossom.

[@clarkewi]

Ha! You've nailed it! Now we know how she got into show business! She was a mean fourth grade piano teacher!!!

[@tipsin]

Face it. Some (quite a few actually) "fans" are jerks. It is rude to both the performer and those in the audience who have to put up with the jerk with the camera.

[@MisterGraduation]

In other words, photos aren't hip, man

[@Andrew-rabatinNet]

Nice clip of B.D. thx

[@likeitornotmike]

She was a freaking genius. 💖

[@silvanusslaughter]

You go, girl. I love her, Class class class through and through. She was strong to tell them to put away the gadget.

[@KaRidder234]

@ColumbiaPerna ∽∽ Yeah, of course, no one applauded 'cause she lost her audience after she said only "no pictures are allowed in here." LOLZ ;) ∽∽ Bravo, Blossom! You're indeed one of the hippest cats around.

[@charlottelibov3473]

She was a pioneer!

[@keilahmichalspann8883]

I loved her music, but seeing how she got on that person trying to sneak a photo made me like her as a person!

[@assignmentearth2899]

Blossom Dearie - No pictures are allowed in here. Wow. That's a woman taking charge of the stage. Simple to the point. Didn't have a million handlers - took care of things herself. Different times.

[@NyceTuneG]

amazing.....speechless

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

What a boss.

[@tholu67]

Thanks for posting this. I like Blossom Dearie a lot. But her comment about 'No pictures allowed in here' suits to something I've read about her recently, being not an easy and nice person to handle...And here she doesn't seem to be at ease with herself at all...and she seems to have projected that own inner uneasiness at her environment regularly...Like Shirley Horn once said about her after she visited her backstage: "Seems she has locked herself away and can't find the key"...

[@PhilTravisano]

I've never seen a performer call out someone with a camera like that. Wowwie.

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

This excellence is why i live.

[@millvalleyrn]

i have to learn the lyrics ... a great pairing of artist and song

[@chatnoir60609]

I have the same mission!! LOL

[@isaiahfrench2290]

She's like real life Tree Trunks from adventure time. So cute

[@Groovychu]

No cappp

[@AlexSGabor]

She is so HIP!

[@mjramsden13]

Love the singer, love the song, very witty lyrics by Dave Fishberg. The audience at Ronnie Scott's 1966 live recording got the lyrics and laughed throughout. Was this Silk Cut audience heavily sedated?

[@grai]

I think they were a bit shocked by how she talked to the photographer so didn't laugh

[@SecondaParte]

Che scoperta meravigliosa

[@andrewilson7538]

"🎶... I even call my girlfriend man ...🎶" 'Love her 🎹🎤🌹

[@taggartjs]

To clarify, I’m a big fan of Ms. Dearie. Having said that, the “no photos” edict is most likely the venue’s call. Although, in Ireland it may be different. If it is, then mea culpa.

[@NTwyable]

What these righteous free loaders don't understand is that the guy was probably using a flashbulb, which could blind her as well as disturbing everyone in the audience. I saw a performer when a guy in the front row took a flash picture. He didn't change character. "Please,don't do that again friend, I could have fallen, ya' see." The actor was playing Will Rogers. The performer as rights along the whole audience to not be disturbed.