March 21, 2005, Life is too Short
It saddens me to note the passing at 80 of famed New York cabaret singer Bobby Short.
Mrs. TD and I saw Bobby Short, live at the Cafe Carlyle in the Carlyle Hotel, exactly twice. The first time was on Mrs. TD's birthday just two weeks before the Loquacious Pup was born, and then precisely five years later (last November, actually) on another of Mrs. TD's birthdays. (After the performance, Mrs. TD managed to track Bobby down, and had him autograph a c.d. for her.) Short was scheduled to retire, but was talked out of it, and went out the way he had been going since he was a child: still working as a performer.
Bobby Short held court at his piano, surrounded by his nine-piece (or was it fifteen-piece?) combo, as he belted out standards by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, and the like, in a genuine, and now gone, piece of New York style and sophistication. Short managed to become one of the few African Americans inducted into the Social Register, for whatever that's worth. Hanging out with the elitest of the elitist, but for a couple of hundred bucks for dinner and the show, anyone and everyone were welcome... the democracy of elegance.
There was something so human about the whole thing. An entertainer who sang using his actual voice (which had been more velvety smooth in an earlier era, but in its mature state, had a character all its own) in a human size room, singing standards...
Something that will be missed. Someone who will be missed. Life goes on, of course. Just a little bit diminished.
Comments
Few people know that Bobby Short's brother was the real-life Stacks Edwards, as portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in Goodfellas.
Posted by Henry Hill at March 22, 2005 2:33 PM
Bobby Short touched me in an inappropriate manner.
Posted by MJ's Accuser at March 22, 2005 4:00 PM
I remember Bobby Short from my days hanging out at The Vault. Bobby was a real leather freak, so we called him "Chocolate Elsie". Loved studded outfits. This guy could party until the next morning, and could take a beating from the doms. No wonder he lived to be 80.
Posted by Jimmy "Sleezy Eyes" Rontelli at March 22, 2005 4:15 PM
What is with you guys? No slip and falls this week? Things must be quiet.
Posted by Mrs_TD at March 23, 2005 4:27 PM
In other Florida news:
Morty Seinfeld was today removed from his feeding tube. When asked for comment, Jerry stated: I'm busy selling DVDs-I don't have time for this. Kramer asked: Can I have his clothes? The other condo board members: Can I have his parking space? And George asked, can I collect his Social Security checks? Is the marble rye lady still kicking? Not if Old Mikey has any say in the matter.
Posted by Mickey Blue Eyes Schiavo at March 24, 2005 9:24 PM