With her whisper-soft delivery, clear phrasing, and slow, spare playing, pianist and singer Shirley Horn was one of the most enjoyable and distinctive jazz artists of the last century. Her career read like a Hollywood movie: A young musical genius is discovered by a jazz legend (Miles Davis), but postpones major stardom to raise a family, only to emerge in her mature years as a superstar on her own terms. She was the queen of silence and anticipation – an embodiment of Miles’ famous quote about the importance of what you don’t play. Says bassist Christian McBride, “The way she could sustain suspense, control emotions, and lead you to that peak. That’s one of the most masterful things an artist can do.”

As part of the Peabody Award-winning documentary series “Jazz Profiles,” this episode about Shirley Horn was produced in 1999 by Margot Stage and narrated by the show host Nancy Wilson.

The “Jazz Profiles” shows – nearly 200 of them – are part of the Tim Owens Jazz & Broadcast Collection at the University of North Texas Music Library. In a partnership with Tim and UNTML, we’ve picked a handful of noteworthy shows to share with you. You can find more “Jazz Profiles” shows at the UNT Music Library’s Jazz Syndicate (www.library.unt.edu/jazzsyndicate), and learn more about 32 Bar Blues' clothing collection and commitment to the arts at 32barblues.com

Pianist Horace Silver was the heart of the hard bop era, helping to form the influential Jazz Messengers and composing many blues and gospel-flavored songs that have become part of the jazz canon – including “Lonely Woman,” “Song For My Father,” “Señor Blues,” and “The Preacher.” His piano playing, like his compositions, was not that easily characterized. Deftly improvising ingenious figures with his right hand while punching out rumbling bass lines with his left, Horace’s style was heavily rhythmic, inspiring his musical colleagues to greater heights in their solos.

As part of the Peabody Award-winning documentary series “Jazz Profiles,” this episode about Horace Silver was produced in 1996 by Miyoshi Smith and narrated by the show host Nancy Wilson.

The “Jazz Profiles” shows – nearly 200 of them – are part of the Tim Owens Jazz & Broadcast Collection at the University of North Texas Music Library. In a partnership with Tim and UNTML, we’ve picked a handful of noteworthy shows to share with you. You can find more “Jazz Profiles” shows at the UNT Music Library’s Jazz Syndicate (www.library.unt.edu/jazzsyndicate), and learn more about 32 Bar Blues' clothing collection and commitment to the arts at 32barblues.com

Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz saxophone players. His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. Best known as a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, he composed the group’s biggest hit, “Take Five.” The song remains the best-selling jazz song of all time.

As part of the Peabody Award-winning documentary series “Jazz Profiles,” this episode about Paul Desmond was produced in 1999 by Paul Conley and narrated by the show host Nancy Wilson.

The “Jazz Profiles” shows – nearly 200 of them – are part of the Tim Owens Jazz & Broadcast Collection at the University of North Texas Music Library. In a partnership with Tim and UNTML, we’ve picked a handful of noteworthy shows to share with you. You can find more “Jazz Profiles” shows at the UNT Music Library’s Jazz Syndicate (www.library.unt.edu/jazzsyndicate), and learn more about 32 Bar Blues' clothing collection and commitment to the arts at 32barblues.com