Bobby Short was a celebrated American cabaret singer, pianist, and interpreter of the Great American Songbook. Born in Danville, Illinois, he began his career as a child prodigy, performing in saloons and vaudeville houses. He became a fixture of New York high society, best known for his long-running residency at the Café Carlyle. His sophisticated style and devotion to the works of composers like Cole Porter and Duke Ellington made him a legendary figure in American popular music.