Eva Cassidy: Extraordinary Talent

(Feb. 2, 1963-Nov. 2, 1996)

Eva Cassidy was one of this generation's most talented individuals. She may have left this world but her music lives on, in hearts and minds.

Who of us doesn't still hear: " . . . and I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before." from the popular Songbird.

Eva came from a musical family. Her father was a bass player, her brother, Danny, a fiddle player. Eva discovered her love of music early on. She became serious about her voice and her guitar at the tender age of nine.

Eva could sing nearly anything and make the listener feel it was music that mattered. She had a wide repertoire, ranging from blues to folk to gospel to jazz. Although initially shy about performing, Eva eventually embraced her audiences when she came to realize how profoundly her singing affected others. Eva poured her very heart and soul into her music.

Cassidy remained pretty much unknown outside of her native Washington, DC; however, her posthumously released recordings have sold extensively. Her album, Songbird, reached #1 on UK album charts.

Eva was a gentle soul who found serenity in natural surroundings. Perhaps like so many gifted individuals, Eva came to share a glimpse of the sublime with the rest of us. Her time on earth was fleeting but her being here . . . counted.

"if happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why, oh why, can't I?"

Eva has now gone "somewhere over the rainbow . . . way up high."

Message to Eva's family: You were given an angel who touched the rest of us on the deepest level. Eva was a gift from heaven.

* Eva displayed artistic talent at an early age

* At 9, she began to sing and play guitar

* At 18, Eva began her musical career, performing in Washington with the band, Easy Street.

* During the 1980s, Eva worked with a number of bands

* In 1986, Cassidy met recording engineer, Chris Biondo who helped her to find work as a back-up singer for different acts.

* In 1992, Eva recorded a duet album with Chuck Brown

* 1993, Eva was awarded two Wammie awards

* 1996, Eva recorded the album, Live At Blues Alley

Posthumous Recordings

* 1998 Songbird

* 2000 Time After Time

* 2002 Imagine

* 2003 American Tune

Books

2001--A book entitled Songbird was released in the UK

2003--A US edition of Songbird was released

* This HubPage is dedicated to Eva and her family.