I loved her. I love her. Carbo released few albums, but all are sublime. A supreme balladeer, one of the best singers I’ve ever heard, in the same level of Shirley Horn and Helen Merrill, she was considered by me as “the best female jazz vocalist of the year” in 2004, 2007 and 2010 in the Jazz Station Annual Poll.
We talked by phone for the last time ten days ago, when she was already very weak, but our conversation was long enough to remember many great moments of her career.
She told me that the doctors had given her only 1 month more, and that she had decided to stay at home instead of going to an hospital. We both were deeply moved by this difficult (to use a light word) “situation.”
We talked about her recordings, about her love for Brazilian music, and remembered how master jazz pianist (and founder of the CAP label) Mike Longo introduced us.
I’m losing so many friends this year – Mark Murphy a few days ago, Phil Woods, Lew Soloff besides many other great musicians that also passed away recently… Like I wrote to her in my last email message: “Te amo profundamente.” Rest in Ballads. http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com.br/2015/10/rip-havana-carbo.html
I had the honor of hearing her sing as a young high schooler in Vermont accompanied by acoustic guitar. Lovely. Soulful. We were in the presence of a unique and powerful femininity. Utterly enchanting still. . .
Only met her a few times, the first in person and I was greatly impressed by her! Her music and voice is just a wonderful testament of who Gladys was….
Gladys was my idol–such beauty and class! We kept in touch when she was in NYC until we didn’t and I am so sorry to hear of her passing. So many beautiful memories of my wonderful time in the Berkshires with all the Flower family. I remembert harmonizing “Tennesseee Waltz:” iin her kitchen after a few cocktails!! My sincere condolences to all the family & hope we see each other again some day!
You made me want to see Paris. The Jazz side, sans chat. You made me want to create stories about female singers. We talked and argued books, politics, music, life, troubles and lovers till 3am. Farewell dear friend. Continue to speak to me in rainbows and music. I will reply in books about singers. And also visit Cuba soon and leave a flower and one of your cds for you.
Carbo, as I called her, was always (and STILL is) a ray of light; a wonderful spirit who taught me so much about life, living, and being. I love you, Carbo. A smile when I needed one. A laugh when I was sad. Encouragement when I was down. I love you, Carbo. A friend at all times, and consummate friend. You’ll be missed by many, but you’ll always be there. I love you, Carbo, and thanks for sharing all your gifts with the world.
Always,
Eddie Becton
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated.
But to the happy, I am at peace.
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea – remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty – remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity – remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved,
the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.
Margaret Mead, American writer and poet (1901 – 1978)
I met Gladys in 2009 when I bought her piano. She happened to live in Weehawken and I happened to live in West New York. We were neighbors and we both happened to be alumni of NYU. That’s where I saw the ad to buy her piano – through an NYU listing. We became fast friends. We both had crazy landladies. I always got her sense of humor. She would always tell me she hated the snow, “it’s like a white coffin.” And when she moved to Stockbridge, I told her she went to the wrong place! But it was wonderful that she was with her family. She loved New York City, The Met where she worked, and so many friends who loved her. The last time I spoke to her I told her I was going to visit and I asked her if she needed anything. She said marshmallows. Sadly, I never got to bring them to her. She actually called my husband Niko saying it was not the best weekend to come and visit as there would be doctors around. I guess that was her way of protecting me as she knew she would leave us soon. Niko told her we loved her and that we couldn’t wait to see her.
Gladys, I will miss your sense of humor, your amazing stories, the concerts we used to go to, your sixth sense, the sound of your voice, your passion for life and politics and healthy living, our precious friendship.
![“Sublime singer… BEST FEMALE JAZZ VOCALIST OF 2007 ! "Through A window...Like a Dream" – impeccable new album, #2 Vocal CD of 2007 ! Arnaldo DeSouteiro, La Tribuna Imprensa, Brasil - Dec. 26 2007 “…the Real Deal… literally "angelic" -- like no other living vocalist. In a world with nuanced human and artistic values, [she’d] be among the few who define that art and its humanity” Jim Merod, Pro Audio, jazz reviewer, music editor OSAM](https://havanacarbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/modl.gif){kind=small}
Per her wishes, donations can be made to support Saint Peter’s Jazz Vespers
I loved her. I love her. Carbo released few albums, but all are sublime. A supreme balladeer, one of the best singers I’ve ever heard, in the same level of Shirley Horn and Helen Merrill, she was considered by me as “the best female jazz vocalist of the year” in 2004, 2007 and 2010 in the Jazz Station Annual Poll.
We talked by phone for the last time ten days ago, when she was already very weak, but our conversation was long enough to remember many great moments of her career.
She told me that the doctors had given her only 1 month more, and that she had decided to stay at home instead of going to an hospital. We both were deeply moved by this difficult (to use a light word) “situation.”
We talked about her recordings, about her love for Brazilian music, and remembered how master jazz pianist (and founder of the CAP label) Mike Longo introduced us.
I’m losing so many friends this year – Mark Murphy a few days ago, Phil Woods, Lew Soloff besides many other great musicians that also passed away recently… Like I wrote to her in my last email message: “Te amo profundamente.” Rest in Ballads.
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com.br/2015/10/rip-havana-carbo.html
I had the honor of hearing her sing as a young high schooler in Vermont accompanied by acoustic guitar. Lovely. Soulful. We were in the presence of a unique and powerful femininity. Utterly enchanting still. . .
Only met her a few times, the first in person and I was greatly impressed by her! Her music and voice is just a wonderful testament of who Gladys was….
Gladys was my idol–such beauty and class! We kept in touch when she was in NYC until we didn’t and I am so sorry to hear of her passing. So many beautiful memories of my wonderful time in the Berkshires with all the Flower family. I remembert harmonizing “Tennesseee Waltz:” iin her kitchen after a few cocktails!! My sincere condolences to all the family & hope we see each other again some day!
You made me want to see Paris. The Jazz side, sans chat. You made me want to create stories about female singers. We talked and argued books, politics, music, life, troubles and lovers till 3am. Farewell dear friend. Continue to speak to me in rainbows and music. I will reply in books about singers. And also visit Cuba soon and leave a flower and one of your cds for you.
Carbo, as I called her, was always (and STILL is) a ray of light; a wonderful spirit who taught me so much about life, living, and being. I love you, Carbo. A smile when I needed one. A laugh when I was sad. Encouragement when I was down. I love you, Carbo. A friend at all times, and consummate friend. You’ll be missed by many, but you’ll always be there. I love you, Carbo, and thanks for sharing all your gifts with the world.
Always,
Eddie Becton
To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated.
But to the happy, I am at peace.
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea – remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty – remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity – remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved,
the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.
Margaret Mead, American writer and poet (1901 – 1978)
Beautiful, thank you.
I met Gladys in 2009 when I bought her piano. She happened to live in Weehawken and I happened to live in West New York. We were neighbors and we both happened to be alumni of NYU. That’s where I saw the ad to buy her piano – through an NYU listing. We became fast friends. We both had crazy landladies. I always got her sense of humor. She would always tell me she hated the snow, “it’s like a white coffin.” And when she moved to Stockbridge, I told her she went to the wrong place! But it was wonderful that she was with her family. She loved New York City, The Met where she worked, and so many friends who loved her. The last time I spoke to her I told her I was going to visit and I asked her if she needed anything. She said marshmallows. Sadly, I never got to bring them to her. She actually called my husband Niko saying it was not the best weekend to come and visit as there would be doctors around. I guess that was her way of protecting me as she knew she would leave us soon. Niko told her we loved her and that we couldn’t wait to see her.
Gladys, I will miss your sense of humor, your amazing stories, the concerts we used to go to, your sixth sense, the sound of your voice, your passion for life and politics and healthy living, our precious friendship.
Love you always,
Angelique