The recent death of jazz singer-pianist Shirley Horn brought back pleasant memories of her concert appearance for L/A Arts in April 1993. During the period from the mid-1980s into the 1990s, L/A Arts (formerly known as LPL Plus and then LPL Plus APL) developed into a premier arts presentation group that brought to this community many national and international performers.

That period was one of great support in response to the leadership and inspiration of Katherine Knowles and her staff. I was privileged to be a board member of L/A Arts at that exciting time and, along with Ted Walworth, promoted the scheduling of jazz musicians. I had attended a concert by Horn in Washington, D.C., in 1990 and recommended we try to schedule her for the 1993 spring season.

Shirley Horn had a very successful career and was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, winning in 1998 for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for her tribute recording to Miles Davis, “I Remember Miles.” Her professional recognition included a 2003 Jazz at Lincoln Center Award for Excellence and an NEA Jazz Master honor in 2005. The last of the great female jazz stylists, she died at the age of 71 from complications of diabetes. I shall remember this tiny, well-spoken black woman who was so friendly to those of us at L/A Arts. Her music lives on in her body of work on Verve Records.

Ralph Tuttle, Auburn