40

We were waiting to enter the cabaret room and sipping our drinks. Very few, if any people were there yet when a very tiny, frail appearing old woman in a very sensible outfit with a very sensible and neutral colored purse came up to the bar and was served a hefty glass of wine. She smiled at us pleasantly and greeted us and then went back to her wine.

We sort of whispered to each other, debating about whether that was her or not. I think we finally agreed that it couldn't be and although we both love older people decided not to bother this woman.

We took our table in the room and the place began to fill. Soon there wasn't a seat to be had. The lights dimmed and slowly from the doorway strode the old woman from the bar...and took her seat at the piano situated at the front of the room and addressed the room in that famous voice sounding more like a little girl than an almost 80 year old woman.

From that moment on I was in love. The voice, her fingers moving across the keys of the piano, the weird and wonderful songs, the wit and wisdom in a note...the way she scolded audience members idiotic enough to make unnecessary noice or chatter during her shows...so much about Blossom Dearie made it easy to fall in love with her, the way love is supposed to be, warts and all.