Eva Cassidy was an American singer and guitarist known for her interpretations of jazz, folk and blues music, born with a powerful, emotive soprano voice.
In 1992, she released her first album, The Other Side, a set of duets with musician Chuck Brown, followed by the 1996 live solo album titled Live at Blues Alley. Although she had been honored by the Washington Area Music Association, she was virtually unknown outside her native Washington, D.C. She died of melanoma in 1996 at the age of 33.
Two years after her death, Cassidy’s music was brought to the attention of British audiences, when her versions of Fields of Gold and Over the Rainbow were played on BBC national radio. Following the overwhelming response, a camcorder recording of Over the Rainbow, taken at Blues Alley in Washington by her friend Bryan McCulley, was shown on TV.
Shortly afterwards, the compilation album Songbird climbed to the top of the UK Album Chart, almost three years after its initial release. The chart success in the United Kingdom and Ireland led to increased recognition worldwide.
Her posthumously released recordings, including three number-one albums and one number-one single in the UK, have sold more than ten million copies. Her music has also charted within the top 10 in Australia, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
The best place to hear all of Eva’s music is her dedicated radio station.
