This was mentioned in another thread, but nobody has started a thread devoted to her yet so I will.
Marian passed away last night at the tender age of 95. Although her voice was kinda "Katherine Hepburn-shaky" the last couple of years her program "Piano Jazz" continued right up until September 2010 when Marian was 92 (and re-runs since then). Her gentle interviewing skills often brought out surprising and surprisingly-human responses from her guests -- and they were "guests" rather than interviewees. I can remember several programs that opened up new artists to my listening, and she deepened my appreciation for a lot of others. Her witty duets with musicians of every stripe -- where you could hear she really LISTENED to what they were playing and responded appropriately -- were always a delight. Her guests ran the gamut from traditional to modern, not only pianists but singers, wind players and guitarists too.
Although she had a remarkable career and was in many ways a breakthrough artist, the show was never about her. She let her guests shine, and she brought out their best shine.
I'll miss "Piano Jazz."
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