Farewell to the sophisticated and sassy soul and jazz singer Marlena Shaw. One of the last of her era. Like many divas she was cagey about her age, officially she was 81 but may have been 84. Probably best known to eldergheys for her rousing disco version of "Touch Me In The Morning" and the theme song from "Looking For Mr. Goodbar" -- "Don't Ask To Stay Until Tomorrow." However, her most popular track is probably the much-sampled "California Soul" which has also been recently featured in commercials and movies. She was the first female vocalist signed to the Blue Note record label. She has a deep catalog of great recordings but was not a mainstream hitmaker. Mostly known to and by connoisseurs as a singularly talented artist. I last saw her about 10 years ago at what was then Dizzy's Coca Cola club in the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, and she was marvelous.
Video is her singing "Bill Bailey" accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra.