Phyllis Hyman

True musical geniuses are quite rare but the great Phyllis Hyman was certainly among the few who deserved that title. Although I have have written numerous articles about her work in the past, there was a particular pair of performances that demonstrated just how brilliant she was as an entertainer and vocalist.

Hyman celebrated the 100th birthday at Eubie Blake at the Kenny Center in 1987 by singing dazzling renditions of “Hit the Road” and “Daddy”. From the opening line to the closing run, the diva cooed, belted and turned each note of the songs into a stunning display of her incredible gift.

Unfortunately, Hyman’s enjoyed little success on the mainstream charts before taking her own life in 1995. Yet, thanks to the power of the internet, great performances like these have kept her legacy alive and provided a source of inspiration for numerous acts, including Jill Scott.

Watch Hyman in action and and get lost in her awesomeness below:

Thoughts?