NEW YORK - Cabaret singer Bobby Short, the tuxedoed embodiment of New York style and sophistication who was a fixture at his piano in the Carlyle Hotel for more than 35 years, died Monday. He was 80.

Short died of leukemia at New York Presbyterian Hospital, said Virginia Wicks, a Los Angeles-based publicist. The hospital did not immediately return a call seeking further detail.

As times changed and popular music shifted from Sinatra to Springsteen to Snoop Dogg, Short, a three-time Grammy nominee, remained irrevocably devoted to the “great American songbook”: songs by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, the Gershwins, Billy Strayhorn, Harold Arlen.

"He was a great man and a great performer and will be remembered." --Bobby's long time manager Christina Wyeth in an email she sent to Mark Sonder today.

Developed and distributed by The New York Times, March 22, 2005
Bobby Short Dies at 80
In an audio slide show, The Times's Stephen Holden discusses the life of Bobby Short, the singer and pianist. Also, listen to clips of Mr. Short's music.