Blog

Behind the Rainbow, the story of Eva Cassidy, review

The book

“One of the members of the choir I conduct alerted me to the biography of the singer I admire most: Eva Cassidy. Our choir has already performed several songs immortalised by Eva so my love for her is no secret.” “I purchased Behind the Rainbow, started reading and was immediately …

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‘Walkin After Midnight’ digitally released

Eva and Chris

On 6 September the new Eva Cassidy album Walkin After Midnight was digitally released. On 22 November it will be available as a CD / LP. The recordings for this intimate live album were made at the King of France Tavern, in the Maryland Inn, downtown Annapolis. Eva sang and …

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From the Beatles to Eva Cassidy: Tony Bramwell (1941-2024)

Tony and Eva

June 2024, Tony Bramwell, one the most important people behind the success of Eva Cassidy’s Songbird album died. Tony’s last post on X (@BeatlesFriend) was not about the Beatles but about Eva Cassidy’s last gig at Jillian’s Sports Bar in Annapolis: ‘When Eva’s final notes evaporated the barman sighed and …

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A new Eva Cassidy album: Walkin’ After Midnight

Album cover

A new Eva Cassidy album, Walkin’ After Midnight, will be released on September 6th. The album has twelve previously-unreleased tracks, which were recorded at the Maryland Inn’s King of France Tavern in Annapolis in 1995. Alternative renditions of most of these songs have appeared on previous albums, but these new …

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THE ESSENCE OF EVA filmmakers need your help!

The Essence Of Eva

Filmmakers Alex Fegan and Malcolm Willis travelled to Maryland USA from their homes in Ireland to meet Eva Cassidy’s family members. Their journey involved  interviewing people across mainland USA, Hawaii and Iceland and include some original band members, close friends, family and music icons Sting and Mick Fleetwood. THE ESSENCE …

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Silent Night

Angel

Just before Christmas, a ‘new’ Christmas song by Eva Cassidy has been released posthumously. It is  Eva’s favourite Christmas song ‘Silent Night’, which was already known in a guitar version, this time her pianist Lenny Williams has added a beautiful piano part to Eva’s voice. In 1981 Eva Cassidy and …

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Mini documentary on Live at Blues Alley

YouTube features a fascinating mini-documentary (or let’s say a podcast with pictures) on Eva Cassidy’s Live At Blues Alley. The recording for this album was hindered by technical setbacks. Consequently, Eva Cassidy initially did not want the album to be released at all. The live album released in 1996 features …

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‘Eva Cassidy was fearless but she didn’t want to play the game’

Mick & Eva

Twenty-seven years ago, singer Eva Cassidy (2 February 1963 – 2 November 1996) died. She only became famous after her death, but if it had been up to Mick Fleetwood (1947) that would have happened much earlier. In the 1990s, the Fleetwood Mac drummer owned music club Fleetwood’s in Alexandria, …

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The comfort of ‘Autumn Leaves’

Clip

In October and November many people find comfort in Eva Cassidy’s beautiful rendition of ‘Autumn Leaves.’ When the days got shorter Eva used to tell her mother: “I can’t really enjoy fall, as beautiful as it is, because I know winter is coming.” Eva performed ‘Autumn Leaves’ on her own, …

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Finallly arrest in Tupac Shakur killing

Mural Amsterdam

The first arrest in the killing of Tupac Shakur has been made. Shakur died in the same year as Eva Cassidy (1996). On Friday, Duane Keffe D. Davis was arrested and charged with murder, with prosecutors saying he ordered and masterminded the Shakur Killing. Now retired Los Angeles police detective Greg …

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What about the Eva Cassidy documentary?

The book

A year ago, our fan club spoke with the British filmmaker Malcolm Willis about the documentary he made with Alex Fagan on Eva Cassidy’s life. Willis announced that The Essence Of Eva would be screened for the general public in early 2023. After the turn of the year, the documentary …

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Raving Songbird reviews

Songbird

Following the release of Eva Cassidy’s posthumous album Songbird, British music critics outdid each other in superlatives: “Her approach is subtle, but intense at the same time. Her voice is almost superhuman, seemingly descended from a higher place.” “Eva Cassidy is able to bend her notes with a sculptor’s care. …

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The success of Eva Cassidy’s Songbird

Songbird

Eva Cassidy’s success in the UK started when Terry Wogan played songs from her album Songbird on his BBC radio 2 breakfast show in the summer of 1998. Top record promotor Tony Bramwell had given up his retirement to make sure that the Songbird album would get the attention it …

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Reviews Behind The Rainbow

Eva Cassidy

“I discovered Eva Cassidy’s music a couple of years ago. A friend sent me the Songbird Lp on vinyl. I was instantly hooked, I mean this young lady does a version of ‘Over The Rainbow’ that rivals Judy Garland’s classic version. As I usually do when I ‘discover’ a new …

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Behind the Rainbow available in the USA

In these times of turmoil and division we need the comforting music of Eva Cassidy more than ever. Twenty-six years after her death she can still comfort and connect us with her pure bright voice. On June 1st, the new edition of the biography Behind the Rainbow will be released …

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Eva Cassidy fans needed!

With Eva's parents

Have you always wanted to share your love for Eva Cassidy’s music with the world? You now have the chance to do so. Malcolm Willis and Alex Fagan, the documentary makers of the Essence of Eva will give fans of her music the opportunity to have their say in their …

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A lovely conversation about Eva Cassidy

On 23 March 2023, Talk Radio Europe’s presenter Selina MacKenzie had a lovely conversation with Eva Cassidy biographer Johan Bakker. They talked about Eva’s shyness, her German roots, her visual art, her friend, bassist and producer Chris Biondo, and the intriguing question why Eva Cassidy was not famous during her …

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Review I Can Only Be Me

Album

On the new album I Can Only Be Me, Eva Cassidy is accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. Although this concept risks becoming kitschy, the project holds up thanks to the American singer’s hypnotic voice. Her delivery is so convincing and powerful that she is never overshadowed by the British …

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Behind The Rainbow will be published today!

Eva Happy

The new edition of the Eva Cassidy biography Behind The Rainbow will be published today! This versatile American singer did not witness her own fame, as she died of melanoma at the young age of 33. Eva Cassidy lives on in the songs with which she still touches people deeply. …

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Eva Cassidy’s 60th birthday

Imagine

On February 2 we remember Eva Cassidy (1963 – 1996) on what would have been her 60th birthday. On this day a new rendition of the song ‘Time After Time’ by Eva and the London Symphony Orchestra will be released. Her new album I Can Only Be Me (3 March …

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Tall Trees In Georgia

Tall Trees In Georgia

‘Tall Trees in Georgia’ is one of Eva’s most haunting performances. In the original live recording, the only accompaniment is Eva herself playing the guitar, lightly brushing the strings in a continuous tremolo. For the orchestral version, strings replace the guitar, and the overlapping sustains and tremolos become a texture …

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Eva Cassidy and the London Symphony Orchestra

I Can Only Be Me

A day after the 60th anniversary of Eva Cassidy’s birth (February 3, 2023) I Can Only Be Me will be released. On this new album the singer is posthumously accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. The new orchestral arrangements are composed by Christopher Willis (Veep, Death of Stalin) and William …

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Remembering Eva Cassidy who died 26 years ago

Eva Live

On 2 November we remember Eva Cassidy (2 February 1963 – 2 November 1996) who died from melanoma 26 years ago. As in her visual art, Eva knew how to get to the essence in her performances of the songs she had chosen. Thanks to her guitar playing and her …

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Labour of love

Fish painting

After a long day, Katrina fell asleep at Chris Biondo’s home. Katrina in Maryland, Episode 4 I open my eyes in a small bedroom. My open suitcase is next to the narrow bed. I have woken up in another world. As I walk down the corridor to find the bathroom, …

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Eva’s glamour pictures

Glamour Picture

Katrina is working on her notes in Chris’ studio. KATRINA IN MARYLAND, EPISODE 3 By now I have lost all sense of time and place. When I look aside, I see Chris behind a large computer screen, dragging files back and forth. When I sit down next to him, I …

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“If anyone was pure and authentic, it was Eva Cassidy”

Gold Songbird Record

While Chris shows her around Washington DC, Katrina makes desperate attempts at multitasking. KATRINA IN MARYLAND EPISODE 2

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‘Eva Cassidy was that good, she deserved to be known’

Eva

Exactly on time, Chris Biondo’s off-road vehicle stops in front of Washington Dulles Airport. “Katrina?” he asks. When I confirm this, he says impatiently: “Get in. Quick. I have a lot to show you.” I throw my suitcase on the back seat. At high speed he takes me to the …

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The Essence Of Eva Cassidy

With Eva's parents

Most Eva Cassidy fans had already given up hope of ever seeing a documentary about the life of their beloved singer. Over the past two decades dozens of filmmakers have knocked in vain on Eva’s parents’ door. English documentary maker Malcolm Willis and his Irish partner Alex Fegan had more …

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Review Behind The Rainbow

Behind the Rainbow

“I discovered Eva Cassidy’s music almost 3 years ago. A friend sent me the  ‘Songbird’ Lp on vinyl. I was instantly hooked, I mean this young lady does a version of “Over The Rainbow” that rivals Judy Garland’s classic version. As I usually do when I ‘discover’ a new artist, …

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Flowers cannot bloom unless it is their season

Eva & Stevie

Eva Cassidy did not like to be the centre of attention. She had more fun recording songs in Chris Biondo’s studio than performing in front of an audience. She would have loved to sing in Stevie Wonder’s backing choir, though. This wasn’t false modesty on Eva’s part, she really meant …

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Eva Cassidy’s 59th birthday

Eva Cassidy At Blues Alley

“I was made in Germany,” Eva Cassidy used to tell her friends. She was born on February 2, 1963 at 10 PM in the Washington Hospital Centre in Washington, DC. Her first name was taken from her great grandmother Eva McGrew who sang and played guitar in church. The family’s …

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About ‘Over The Rainbow’

Brandon Scott about Eva Cassidy

Brandon Scott (from YouTube channel ‘That’s Not Acting’) explains what makes Eva Cassidy’s ‘Over The Rainbow’ so beautiful and strong: ‘I’m really excited to jump into this. It’s already lovely. Look at the expression on her face. This song means something to her. It’s definitely beautiful and it feels very …

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From our chairman

Logo

On 2 November 1996 singer Eva Cassidy died, exactly 25 years ago this year. The Guardian paid much attention to this anniversary and biographer Johan Bakker was a guest at De Nieuws BV on Dutch Radio 1. About 20 years ago I first heard her music. The largely unknown singer …

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Eva Cassidy left in Autumn, 25 years ago

I Love Eva

Eva Cassidy’s dream had been to record a studio album under favourable but precise circumstances. But she and friend and producer Chris Biondo had worked at too slow a pace and even then he’d had the anxious premonition that they would be too late. It’s likely that Eva’s delay in …

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Eva Cassidy’s first performance

Eva Cassidy

It is April 2, 1977, and while owner Jack lights the hearth fire and bartender Brian rinses the glasses, three musicians enter the Fleet Reserve Club through the back entrance. The attractive club in the historic town of Annapolis in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, is usually the preserve of navy personnel …

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We remember folk and celtic singer Grace Griffith (1956-2021)

We have received the sad news that singer Grace Griffith has died at the age of 64. Grace Griffith was raised in a family of ten children on a small farm in Southern Maryland. At a young age she began singing and accompanying herself on guitar playing in small coffeehouse …

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Who Knows Where The Time Goes?

Who Knows

The final episode of the popular Netflix series Firefly Lane features ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes?’ performed by Eva Cassidy. The romantic drama series is a great success and it features some well-known actors. The forty-somethings Tully Hart and Kate Mularkey have been best friends since childhood. Together they …

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Twenty years ago: Songbird number one!

Eva Cassidy Songbird

In November 2000 Blix Street Records sent record plugger Tony Bramwell the videotape that Bryan McCulley had made of the band’s live recording for Live At Blues Alley. Eva’s performance of ‘Over The Rainbow’ that night was far from perfect, with problems in image and sound quality, but it was …

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‘All Day Sucker’ (featuring Eva Cassidy)

Eva & Stevie

Once again, an as-yet-unknown song featuring Eva Cassidy has been released. It is a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘All Day Sucker’ by Yromik Ffodnero. He used a recording by Ju Ju House and Eva Cassidy. William “Ju Ju” House is drummer in the Washington D.C based Go-Go group Experience Unlimited …

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On Eva Cassidy’s 58th birthday, Chris Biondo looks back on her life.

Eva Happy

Chris Biondo was Eva Cassidy’s bassist, producer, musical mentor and friend. Chris met Eva when she recorded a few songs in his studio in Rockville DC in 1987. It was hardly possible to find a greater difference between two people. Chris was outspoken, extroverted, quick and decisive, while Eva was …

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“The beauty of her tone makes Eva Cassidy’s singing so honest.”

One Night That Changed Everything

The documentary One Night That Changed Everything begins powerful with the words of manager Al Dale: “Give a Blues Alley welcome to Eva Cassidy!” The former band members of the American singer, who died in 1996, enter the famous jazz club in Georgetown DC two by two. The 50-minute documentary …

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Eva Cassidy Live At Blues Alley: 25 years ago

Eva Cassidy in Georgetown

Twenty-five years ago, on 2 and 3 January 1996, the Eva Cassidy band performed two nights at Blues Alley, a jazz club in Georgetown DC. The album Nightbird (2015) contains the complete concert that the Eva Cassidy Band gave on the second evening. The musicians had played there before with …

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The biography Behind the Rainbow

Behind the Rainbow

Eight years ago the Eva Cassidy biography Behind the Rainbow was published. The book received many positive reviews and readers let us know that Eva Cassidy’s life story had moved them. “Through it all her shimmering spirit shines making this biography both a searching analysis and a warm commemoration of …

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A new version of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’

Eva Live

Once again a new recording of Eva Cassidy appeared and again the record company did not provide any background information. It is a rendition of the song ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ written by Bill Withers, who died earlier this year. Eva performed it many times. She gave it her own twist, …

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Eva Cassidy (2 February 1963 – 2 November 1996) died twenty-four years ago

No Boundaries

“She represents all that is good in this world.” This quotation – that Eva Cassidy added to the bottom of her portrait of Bernice, Chris Biondo’s dog – summarises her own life precisely. Eva loved animals because unlike people they never let her down. In her relationships with others she …

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A ‘new’ version of ‘Blue Skies’ by Eva Cassidy

Blue Skies

Out of the blue a new version of ‘Blue Skies’ by Eva Cassidy appeared. The song could be heard earlier on the album Live at Blues Alley (1996) and later on the extended digitally polished ‘Live at Blues Alley’ edition Nightbird (2015). With this song Eva proved that she could …

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Eva Cassidy’s Time After Time

Eva Cassidy

Eva Cassidy fans ask us all kinds of questions. Sometimes they are difficult to answer. For example: “If I buy one Eva Cassidy album which one should I pick?” (It’s a matter of taste) Last week, however, we got a question that made us think long and deep: “How many …

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First ‘Simply Eva’ show since lock down

Simply Eva

July 4, 2020 was a special day for both the audience and the artists. For the first time since the lock down in March Jerney Kate and Lex Horst sang and played songs in Eva Cassidy’s arrangements (Early Morning Rain, Wayfaring Stranger, Woodstock and of course Fields of Gold, Songbird …

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‘Eva touched my soul with her voice’

Fleetwood's

Audiotapes and videotapes from the 1990’s prove that Eva Cassidy and Mick Fleetwood joined the stage more than once. Eva Cassidy’s close friends keep these tapes as private memories, but Niki Lee, the former wife of pianist Lenny Williams, donated her audio-recording Eva Cassidy live at Fleetwood’s to the Rock …

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How Eva Cassidy paved the way for Kandace Springs

Kandace & Eva

Kandace Springs is Blue Note’s new star. The American singer recorded three beautiful albums, playing her own songs and covers in a wide range of genres. In all the music she makes you hear her soul and you feel her passion. The American magazine Style Blueprint asked Kandace Springs about …

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‘Eva Cassidy’s transience and purity’ (guest blog)

Eva with headphones

Some people adore Eva Cassidy as a saint. If you read about her life story and listen to her beautiful, intimate songs, you will understand that. Years ago I was captivated by this vulnerable singer, whose birthday is the same as mine. Recently I bought the well-written biography Behind The …

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Eva Cassidy Live At The Bayou (1986)

Eva Cassidy

This is the story behind the rare video clip of Eva Cassidy singing ‘The Rose’. David Lourim, a Maryland musician, spent his days in the 1980’s composing and recording music, working professionally with a 24-track recorder on a project he named ‘Method Actor’. He liked to experiment with all kinds …

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Eva Cassidy’s 57th birthday

Eva Cassidy

Eva Marie Cassidy was born on 2 February, 1963 at 10.00 p.m. in the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Her first name was taken from her father Hugh’s grandmother, Eva McGrew. The family’s first year in the city was spent in the Southeast area in Washington, D.C., where they …

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Jerney Kate has the pipes!

Jerney Kate & Lex Horst

Jerney Kate & Lex Horst gave an intense and inspiring performance at the sold out Podium ‘Onder de Toren’, Grootschermer. The first people arrived more than half an hour before the start, eager to witness this performance. Jerney Kate and Lex Horst did not disappoint. Accompanied by one guitar Jerney …

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‘SIMPLY EVA’ THEATRE SHOW

Simply Eva

‘Simply Eva’ is a musical quest to the heart and the soul of Eva Cassidy (1963-1996). This American singer reached stardom after her early death from melanoma. Cassidy’s posthumously compiled album Songbird turned out to be a worldwide success in 2000. How could a multitalented singer like Eva Cassidy remain …

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Lookback on 2019

Christmas Wish

We look back on an eventful year. The first news we brought in 2019 was the unexpected death of Cary Klein, one of the founders of the Eva Cassidy fan club. Cary’s last Facebook post was a clip of Eva Cassidy’s ‘Autumn Leaves’. But 2019 brought beautiful things as well. …

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Eva Cassidy’s ‘new’ Christmas song

Oh Come All Ye Faithfull

Eva Cassidy fans from all over the world are surprised and delighted by the unexpected appearance of her performance of ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful.’ It was known that Eva had this Christmas song in her repertoire. In 1981 Eva Cassidy and her friends Ned Judy, Mark Merella, Larry Melton …

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Eva Cassidy’s music marks important moments

Eva

This week our fan club was called by a gentleman who told us a wonderful story. He had heard Eva Cassidy’s voice on the radio for the first time in his life: “I knew Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ and I had also listened to Miles Davis’ performance, but Eva …

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Eva Cassidy (2 February 1963 – 2 November 1996) died 23 years ago.

Eva Cassidy

“You left in autumn, the leaves were turning I walked down roads of orange and gold I saw your sweet smile, I heard your laughter You’re still here beside me everyday ‘Cause I know you by heart”

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Eva Cassidy’s posthumous fame is richly deserved

Eva

Eva Cassidy (1963 – 1996) was a shy musician, whose immeasurable talent only achieved global recognition after her life was tragically cut short at the tender age of 33. Eva was born February 2nd 1963 in Maryland. Her passion for music was evident from an early age, guided by her …

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San Francisco Bay Blues (Live At Pearl’s), 25 years ago

Eva Cassidy at Pearl's

In 1994 Eva Cassidy moved to Annapolis, a beautiful town along the Chesapeake Bay. Her new residence was the perfect place for small or solo gigs. The old town had plenty of bars and restaurants interested in low profile and acoustic live music. Eva would have liked to sing and …

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“Eva Cassidy is one of the best Paul Simon interpreters”

Eva Cassidy

“Eva Cassidy is one of the best Paul Simon interpreters,” says leading American music critic Geoffrey Himes after listening to her live album Nightbird. Eva Cassidy hadn’t finished her first solo studio album by the end of 1995. The lucky few who had heard her infrequent gigs, though, were clamoring …

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June 8: Ida de Nijs in concert

Poster

Ida de Nijs, born in The Netherlands, was already singing as a child on homemade stages in the living room. Her education after high school was the Amsterdam college for Individual Art Education. Singing in background choirs, participating in cabaret and performing in local pubs made her early years a …

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Eva Cassidy’s melanoma

Eva singing

In 1993, Eva was concerned about a small mole on her nose, which she thought looked awful. She went to see a dermatologist who removed it but on closer examination she discovered a larger spot on Eva’s back. Concerned, she advised Eva to have a biopsy, so Eva and her …

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PYURE TRIBUTE TO COHEN AND CASSIDY

Cohen & Cassidy

This show focuses on the lives and works of Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) and Eva Cassidy (1963-1996). Many people know Leonard Cohen, but who was Eva Cassidy? If the word ‘pure’ applies to someone, then it must be Eva Cassidy, the singer who died much too early. Wary from glitter, glamour, …

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We remember Cary Klein (1954-2018)

Autumn Leaves

In the summer of 2012 we received a direct Twitter message from Cary Klein who lived in Florida. He had found out that we were fellow Eva Cassidy fans and he asked us if we were interested in helping him to create an Eva Cassidy tribute account as a platform …

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Eva Cassidy sampled

Eva Cassidy & Chris Biondo

Working with Eva Cassidy was a treat: she could harmonise, her pitch was good, her synchronisation was fine and her musical memory was excellent. She understood completely what musicians needed and she could fit into any role. Experience Unlimited (or E.U.) was a Washington-based GoGo and rhythm and blues crew …

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Eva Cassidy and The London Symphony Orchestra

The London Symphony Orchestra

Eva Cassidy, receives a unique reimagining as her vocal performance of Autumn Leaves is paired with the backing of the London Symphony Orchestra. This inspired musical context was created by isolating Eva’s 1996 live vocal performance recorded at the Blues Alley Jazz Club in Washington, DC and combining it with …

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Katie Melua: Eva Cassidy is a huge inspiration!

Exclusieve Interview Katie Melua

On her double album Ultimate Collection Katie Melua looks back on her musical career, spanning fifteen years. Three songs on this album refer to Eva Cassidy. This week Melua started a tour with her band and with the Gori Women’s Choir from her native country Georgia. The Eva Cassidy Fanclub …

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Simply Eva at ‘t Mosterdzaadje Santpoort-Noord

Simply Eva

Friday 19th October at ‘t Mosterdzaadje in Santpoord-Noord (The Netherlands): Simply Eva, a musical quest to the heart and the soul of Eva Cassidy (1963-1996). This American singer reached stardom after her early death from melanoma. Cassidy’s posthumously compiled album Songbird turned out to be a worldwide success in 2000. …

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Eva Cassidy: The Story at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Elsa Jean

The Amphitheatre of theSpace @ Symposium Hall features a magical combination of the music of Eva Cassidy with the voice of Elsa Jean McTaggart as she pays a heartfelt musical homage to her favourite artist. Many Fringe audiences will already know Elsa Jean McTaggart from her popular traditional Scottish themed …

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‘The hauntingly beautiful voice of Eva Cassidy’ (guest blog)

Eva @ Blues Alley

Eva Marie Cassidy (1963 – 1996) was an unpretentious humble girl from small town Bowie, Maryland (US). She worked hard with her mother in their nursery, growing flowers and plants. But Eva also sang. She had the voice of an angel, and delivered songs with purity, passion, and power. She …

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Eva is gone, but she left us the gift of her music

Bloementuin

Eva worked at a plant nursery called Behnke’s between 1981 and 1995. This job had been intended as a short-term-measure, but it turned out to be Eva’s principal wage-paying job. Her colleague Larry Hurley remembers her very well: “At the time Eva Cassidy died, she was just making a name …

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Graham Parker: Eva Cassidy and Amy Winehouse are the two greatest female vocalists

Graham Parker 70's

When an English friend of mine raved about American singer Eva Cassidy sometime in the late ’90’s, his exhortations were intense enough to quell my usual reticence to buying albums without hearing a single performance on the radio (call me old fashioned, but that’s still how I judge whether music …

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Eva Cassidy’s 55th birthday

Portrait of Eva Cassidy

2 February would have been Eva Cassidy’s 55th birthday if this American vocalist, guitarist and artist hadn’t died on 2 November 1996. ‘She represents all that is good in this world.’ This quotation – that Eva added to the bottom of her portrait of Bernice, bassist and producer Chris Biondo’s …

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Dutch rendition of Eva Cassidy songs

Ida de Nijs

Ida de Nijs, born in The Netherlands, was already singing as a child on homemade stages in the living room. Her education after high school was the Amsterdam college for Individual Art Education. Singing in background choirs, participating in cabaret and performing in local pubs made her early years a …

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‘Live At Blues Alley still sounds pretty cool!’ Keith Grimes, Eva Cassidy Band guitarist

Blues Alley

Eva Cassidy Band guitarist Keith Grimes: ‘I’ve been asked by my friend Johan to provide a few remembrances from my time with the Eva Cassidy Band. And what better time than now? For it was on this very evening, 22 years ago, that we hit the stage at Blues Alley …

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Eva Cassidy Band Reunited

Eva Cassidy

Eva Cassidy and the members of the Eva Cassidy Band are going to be inducted into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame in Baltimore on 10 December 2017. This local Hall of Fame honors individuals and groups who have made significate contributions to the history of entertainment in Maryland. It …

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‘Over The Rainbow’; the desire for a better world

Rainbow

When Eva Cassidy was a child her favorite film was The Wizard Of Oz, which was broadcast at least once a year. Each time it was announced in the TV Guide the Cassidy children worked themselves into a state of excitement that lasted for several days. The film, made in …

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Eva Cassidy’s Autumn Leaves

Red Leaves

In October and November many people find comfort in Eva Cassidy’s beautiful rendition of ‘Autumn Leaves.’ Eva Cassidy had Seasonal Affective Disorder. In September, when the days got shorter she used to tell her mother: “I can’t really enjoy fall, as beautiful as it is, because I know winter is …

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Eva’s solo gigs in Annapolis

Maryland Inn Annapolis

Annapolis (Maryland) was the perfect place for small or solo gigs in 1994. The old town at the Chesapeake Bay had plenty of bars and restaurants interested in low profile and acoustic live music. Eva would have liked to sing and play in Europe like her brother Dan, but Annapolis …

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The last song Eva recorded

Eva

The last song that Eva recorded was ‘Waly, Waly’. It can be found on the Eva By Heart album which Chris Biondo compiled after Eva’s death. It is a sad traditional based on the story of Lady Barbara Erskine, who married the second Marquis of Douglas in 1670 but who …

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‘Simply Eva’ Theatre Show in Amsterdam 16 June

Simply Eva

‘Simply Eva’ is a musical quest to the heart and the soul of Eva Cassidy (1963-1996). This American singer reached stardom after her early death from melanoma. Cassidy’s posthumously compiled album Songbird turned out to be a worldwide success in 2000. How could a multitalented singer like Eva Cassidy remain …

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Essence of Eva

Poster

Sunday 18 June 2017 Laura Claire, James Hickman and Dan Cassidy will perform in an Eva Cassidy Tribute: Essence of Eva at Barnsley Civic in Yorkshire. Laura Claire tells us about this special event. What do you admire in Eva Cassidy? What I admire the most in Eva Cassidy is …

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Simply Eva Theatre Show 31 March 2017

Art work

Simply Eva is a musical quest to the heart and the soul of Eva Cassidy (1963-1996). This American singer reached stardom after her early death from melanoma. Cassidy’s posthumously compiled album Songbird turned out to be a worldwide success in 2000. How could a multitalented singer like Eva remain so obscure …

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TEN THOUSAND EVA CASSIDY FANS CAN’T BE WRONG!

Twitteraccount

Eva Cassidy tribute Twitter account Behind The Rainbow ( @EvaCassidyBio ) welcomed its 10.000th follower this weekend. Berit Christensen from Denmark ( @BtheChangeX ) was very surprised to hear that she was number 10.000 when she started to follow @EvaCassidyBio . “Wow, that is awesome! I love Eva Cassidy, so …

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We remember Eva Cassidy’s manager Al Dale

Eva and Al

Eva Cassidy’s manager Al Dale passed away on Wednesday March 8th at the age of 80. Al Dale was manager of several bands in the Washington DC area in the eighties and a regular at Chris Biondo’s studio. On one occasion he arrived to pick up some tapes just as …

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Alison Krauss: It was always Eva Cassidy!

Alison Krauss

Have their been any British female singers that have inspired you, influenced you or admired down the years? Alison Krauss: ‘Sandy Denny. Actually John Waite gave me a CD of Liege and Leaf – he introduced me to Fairport Convention. She’s just so innocent and beautiful, there’s no way not …

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Eva Cassidy’s birthday

Last birthday

Eva Marie Cassidy was born on February 2, 1963 at 10.00 p.m. in the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Her first name was taken from father Hugh’s grandmother, Eva McGrew, a Christian singer and guitar player. The family’s first year in the city was spent in the Southeast area …

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We remember Isabel Cassidy Bligh (1933-2016)

Rainbow

Eva Cassidy’s aunt Isabel died on December 28, 2016. She was 83. Isabel was a sister of Hugh Cassidy, Eva’s father. Isabel was one of the first people who really believed in Eva Cassidy’s talent. She supported Eva from the beginning of her career. She was there for Eva’s performances …

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Eva Cassidy (2 February 1963 – 2 November 1996)

Eva in car

“She represents all that is good in this world.” This quotation – that Eva Cassidy added to the bottom of her portrait of Bernice, Chris Biondo’s dog – summarises her own life precisely. Eva loved animals because unlike people they never let her down. In her relationships with others she …

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Sing Me Into Heaven (for Eva Cassidy)

Eva Cassidy

Timo Arthur is proud to present to you his newly recorded song. The American singer-songwriter composed it in tribute to Eva Cassidy. Daniel Karl Cassidy, Eva’s brother, played the violin and string parts, recording them from Iceland where he currently lives. The rest of the song was recorded at Royal …

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The beauty of Eva Cassidy’s voice lives on in a magnificent race horse

Eva Cassidy

The most popular Eva Cassidy CD was named after its title song that was originally sung by Fleetwood Mac called ‘Songbird’. Eva Cassidy sang it slowly with so much passion and melodic beauty that Mick Fleetwood described her voice as ‘pure as snow.’ Songbird proves to be a haunting ballad …

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January 3rd 1996: The Eva Cassidy Band Live At Blues Alley

Eva At Blues Alley

The late singer/guitarist Eva Cassidy (1963-1996) was a possibility nature did not allow fulfilled. Barely started in what promised to be a successful career, Cassidy died at 33 from malignant melanoma, the same year her notable Live at Blues Alley (Eva Music) was recorded and released. The present Nightbird is …

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“There will never be a new Eva”

Eva

All of those who belonged to the close circle around Eva reacted to her death on November 2nd, 1996, in their own way and did everything they could to keep her flame burning. Hugh Cassidy tried to cope with the loss of his daughter by making a statue of her. …

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Eva Cassidy’s success in Iceland

Eva en Dan Blues Bar

Eva’s brother Dan Cassidy discovered in the 1994 that Europeans appreciated his way of playing. He felt very much at ease on the continent and close to his roots. When he arrived in Iceland he felt completely at home and decided to make it his home. He still resides there …

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A Tribute To Eva Cassidy in Leiden

Jerney Kate

A Tribute to Eva Cassidy in Leiden Jerney Kate and her band band will pay a tribute to Eva Cassidy on Sunday afternoon April 10th. Between the sets author and biographer Johan Bakker will talk about Eva Cassidy’s short and moving life that ended too soon. Eva Cassidy died 20 …

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Terry Wogan made Eva Cassidy a star

Terry Wogan (1938 - 2016

The huge response to Eva’s music was down to Terry Wogan’s (1938 – 2016) support for her. However, the first song by Eva that Wogan played was not ‘Over The Rainbow’, as most would assume, but ‘Autumn Leaves’ during the last week of August 1998. The following week he played …

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Eva Cassidy Comes Alive in Zoetermeer

Jerney Kate

Twenty years ago this month Eva Cassidy recorded Live At Blues Alley in Georgetown DC. The album was meant to be her great breakthrough, but in that same year, 1996, the modest, but talented singer died. Not until four years later her voice and her songs reached many people’s hearts …

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Impressive concert recording Eva Cassidy Band

Nightbird‘s release was long overdue. The album contains the complete concert (audio and partly video) that The Eva Cassidy Band gave on 3 January 1996. The group had booked jazz club Blues Alley in Georgetown DC for two consecutive nights to record an album that would put Eva Cassidy definitely …

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