Bobby Short
b. Robert Waltrip, 15 September 1926, Danville, Illinois, USA. A self-taught pianist, Short worked in vaudeville as a child and sang in clubs and on radio in Chicago. In mid-1937 he went to New York where he played and sang for audiences unprepared for smart-suited sophistication from a pre-teenager. Short went back to school, but influenced by the stylish performances of such night-club artists as Hildegarde, continued to hone his act. When he returned to show business he toured extensively, eventually spending some time on the west coast. By the early '50s he had matured into a sophisticated singer-pianist. Whether in Los Angeles, New York or Paris, he played the best night-clubs, establishing a reputation as a witty purveyor of songs. His vocal range is limited, and accordingly he sings with engaging restraint. His club appearances over the years at such places as the Café Carlyle and 21, have earned him a following. 
Further reading: BLACK AND WHITE BABY, Bobby Short.