Partial: I Just Found Out About Love, & Billie's Blues
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Published 2014-03-01
She gained a huge following locally, both in clubs, concerts and as a stage actress, and was a 'force of nature' in promoting jazz and educating youth to America's Classical music, JAZZ!
All Comments (7)
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Beautiful picture at sweet 16!
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These are 'just' college students in Professor Dwayne's Weatherford College Band. Merely a rehearsal for the real show. I am always amazed at how such talented jazz musicians sense that every moment is precious and play their hearts out. Especially with a Diva setting the groove!
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If you loved Shirley you will like this. She was rehearsing with Weatherford College jazz band, Weatherford Texas, circa 1991, under the direction of the great Duane Durrett. Probably Keith Andersen on one sax. This audio was from a cassette, so the quality is not good, but if you listen to it all I think a tear will come to your eyes. Shirley had perfect pitch, was an educated musician, and combined with her natural talent, she was awesome. Just listen to the notes and intonation on Billie's Blues, omg.
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New fan of Shirley. I recently saw Audra McDonald sing a song from the play about Billie Holiday which brought me to YouTube where I learned that Shirley had done a similar performance back in 1987. Thank you for sharing her memory and history with her new fans.
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I wish I could figure out all the youtube features. Any way the photo is Shirley when she was sweet 16. Shirley won the Miss Lincoln contest, for her beauty and musical ability playing the piano. She also was very interested in science, and won the DISD district science fair with her food science project. It got her a job for two summers as a lab intern at Dr Pepper's quality control lab on Mockingbird in Dallas.
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Hi. I discovered Shirley ...searching for other on youtube. I would like to know more about her. Please, Joe, can you help me?
