Barbara Paris

I had a long history with this song. When Joe and I had a reunion after his time in Arizona when I arrived at his hotel he was playing this song. At the time it was the same song I had been working on. When I met Billy he loved this song. I was so grateful to be able to record it with him. Billy's discography is 5 pages long.                Arthur Butler, Jean Phyllis Molinary
Here's to Life (1992) Shirley Horn once told me that her "Here's to Life" recording was her own personal favorite. Her drummer, Steve Williams introduced us while on a Norwegian Cruise where we became friends. I was first introduced to her music in Paris by Claude Tissendier, where I heard her at the Théâtre du Châtelet as a guest of his. I last heard her at the Iridium in New York, guest of Richard Seidel who produced Shirley Horn’s lovely recording. She was a soft spoken and kind woman.  I shared the love of her music with the pianist Joe Bonner, with whom I sang for 22 years.  Billy heard Joe Williams sing this song in Seattle.  Artie Butler’s composition is a favorite among many and has become a staple of jazz standards.