But jazz soon took over her musical aspirations. Horn began singing when she realized she could earn more money as a vocalist. But singing and playing piano were almost inextricable for her, and she would continue to develop both interdependently. The great trumpeter Miles Davis was so impressed that he tracked Shirley down and invited her to New York to open for him at the Village Vanguard. Davis even told the club s owner that he wouldn t play if Shirley couldn t perform.
Horn reminisces about that magical performance in front of a star-studded audience.
One need not look far to understand Davis appreciation of Shirley Horn s vocal style. Davis remained a close friend and mentor to Horn until his death in 1991. Following the sensational Village Vanguard performance, Horn recorded a couple albums with producer Quincy Jones on the Mercury label. But Horn had been signed as a vocalist, and had to leave the piano to someone else. After the Mercury contract expired, Horn retreated from the limelight to be with her family back in Washington.