Shirley Horn (1934-2005) is acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz singers of the 1950's and 1960's, often compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, and Sarah Vaughan.

Her outstanding career would span over fifty years. Shirley's voice was smooth and expressive, but never hurried; she was one of the slowest tempo singers in jazz. Embers and Ashes was her first album under her own name. Although she was only 26- years old at the time, the richness in her vocals and piano accompaniment was already present.