# Eva Cassidy

> American singer (1963–1996)

**Wikidata**: [Q229144](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229144)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Cassidy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eva-cassidy

## Summary
Eva Cassidy was an American singer known for her exceptional vocal range and versatility across genres including jazz, blues, folk, and pop. Despite her brief career and early death at age 33, she gained posthumous fame for her interpretations of classic songs that showcased her technical mastery and emotional delivery.

## Biography
- Born: February 2, 1963
- Died: November 2, 1996
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Bowie High School, Prince George's Community College
- Known for: Exceptional vocal talent and versatility across multiple genres
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material
- Field(s): Music, specifically singing and guitar playing

## Contributions
Eva Cassidy built a legacy through her vocal performances and recordings between 1981 and 1996. She developed a distinctive approach to singing that transcended genre boundaries, with recordings of songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" gaining significant posthumous recognition. Her work with the record label Blix Street Records resulted in albums that continued to be discovered and appreciated years after her death, with sales figures reaching up to 322,000 copies of certain releases.

## FAQs
**What genres of music did Eva Cassidy sing?**
Eva Cassidy was known for her versatility across multiple genres, including jazz, blues, folk, and pop. Her ability to interpret songs from diverse musical traditions contributed to her unique style and widespread appeal.

**Where was Eva Cassidy educated?**
Eva Cassidy attended Bowie High School and Prince George's Community College, though specific details about her academic focus are not available in the source material.

**Did Eva Cassidy release many albums during her lifetime?**
Eva Cassidy released a limited number of albums during her lifetime, with her most significant work being discovered and popularized after her death. Her posthumous releases gained substantial commercial success.

**What instruments did Eva Cassidy play?**
Eva Cassidy was primarily known as a singer, but she also played the guitar, which complemented her vocal performances.

**When did Eva Cassidy begin her music career?**
Eva Cassidy began her music career in 1981, as indicated in her work period data, though the specific trajectory of her early career development is not detailed in the source material.

## Why They Matter
Eva Cassidy matters because she redefined vocal performance through her technical mastery and emotional authenticity. Despite her relatively brief career and lack of mainstream success during her lifetime, her recordings continued to gain recognition for their exceptional quality. Her posthumous fame demonstrated how exceptional artistry can transcend the limitations of commercial success timing. Her influence extended across multiple generations of singers who admired her vocal range and interpretive abilities. Without her work, the landscape of vocal music would have been missing a unique voice that bridged jazz, blues, and popular music traditions with remarkable versatility.

## Notable For
- Exceptional vocal range and technical mastery across multiple genres
- Posthumous recognition for her interpretations of classic songs like "Over the Rainbow"
- Sales figures of up to 322,000 copies for certain posthumous releases
- Unique ability to blend jazz, blues, folk, and pop in her performances
- Guitar accompaniment that complemented her vocal performances
- Career span from 1981 to 1996
- American singer who gained international fame after her death

## Body
### Early Life
Eva Cassidy was born on February 2, 1963, in the United States. She received her education at Bowie High School and Prince George's Community College, though specific details about her academic focus are not available in the source material. Her full name, as indicated in the structured properties, was Eva Marie Cassidy. She was an American citizen, as specified by her nationality in the source material.

### Musical Career
Eva Cassidy's career as a singer and guitarist spanned from 1981 until her death in 1996. She worked as a singer and musician, developing a distinctive style that transcended traditional genre boundaries. Her primary genres included jazz and blues, as indicated by her classification as both a singer and jazz musician in the source material. While specific employers are not mentioned in the source, her work included performances and recordings that showcased her exceptional vocal abilities.

### Artistic Style and Technique
Cassidy was distinguished by her versatility across multiple musical genres. She demonstrated exceptional range and technical mastery in her performances, particularly in her interpretations of jazz and blues standards. Her guitar playing complemented her vocal work, creating a distinctive sound that combined instrumental and vocal elements. The source material identifies her as both a singer and guitarist, highlighting her multi-instrumental capabilities.

### Recordings and Discography
Eva Cassidy's recorded work gained significant recognition after her death. Her sales figures reached impressive numbers posthumously, with certain releases achieving up to 322,000 copies in sales. These recordings, though limited in number during her lifetime, continued to be discovered and appreciated by audiences worldwide. The source material mentions specific sales figures (214,000; 239,000; 270,000; 299,000; 322,000) that indicate the commercial success of her posthumous releases.

### Notable Performances
Among her most celebrated recordings were interpretations of classic songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World." These performances showcased her ability to bring new depth and emotional resonance to well-known standards. Her vocal interpretations were characterized by technical precision combined with genuine emotional delivery, setting her apart from many contemporaries.

### Posthumous Recognition
After her death on November 2, 1996, Eva Cassidy's work gained unprecedented recognition. Her recordings were discovered by new audiences, leading to posthumous fame that she did not experience during her lifetime. This delayed recognition highlighted the exceptional quality of her work and demonstrated how great artistry can transcend the limitations of commercial timing. Her official website (http://www.evacassidy.org/) continues to serve as a resource for fans and those discovering her music.

### Legacy and Influence
Eva Cassidy's legacy extends beyond her recorded work to influence subsequent generations of singers and musicians. Her ability to bridge multiple genres while maintaining authenticity in her interpretations has made her a reference point for vocalists exploring diverse musical traditions. Her posthumous fame has also contributed to broader conversations about the recognition of artistic talent, particularly for artists whose work gains appreciation only after their passing.

### Digital Presence
Eva Cassidy maintains a digital presence through multiple identifiers and online resources. Her official website (http://www.evacassidy.org/) serves as a central hub for information about her life and work. Various online identifiers and database entries connect her to broader digital ecosystems, ensuring her work remains accessible to new generations of listeners and researchers.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. Find a Grave
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. BBC Things
9. Quora
10. YouTube API