Monday, October 12, 2009

Esther Satterfield

Esther Satterfield’s music career was short.  She leaves 3 albums: Once I Loved, The Need to Be, and the live concert recorded Land of Make Believe with Chuck Mangione.  She married, raised five children and widowed.  She’s taken on her husband’s last name and  is now as Esther Jordan living in Maryland. 
Esther Satterfield - The Need to Be Album Cover
Not much is written on why she vanished from the booth. My Mom recalls her falling into drugs and eschewing the music industry.  I wish she would come back. I’d love to see her live in concert.  Listen to her pure toned voice singing  Sarah and Long Hard Climb from The Need To Be.
Sarah
 
Long Hard Climb
 
What’s your favorite song from The Need to Be?

[link updated. Please visit My Little Jazzarium.]

72 comments:

  1. I'm always looking for news on Esther Satterfield and never finding it, some more youtubes up though :)

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  2. Esther's late husband, Jake Jordan, worked for me in Newark, NJ,(WNJR) in the late 1970's. I remember her as a dynamic and wonderful singer.Today it just hit me as to the where abouts of Esther and Jake.

    Bill D

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  3. Truly this was a great talent that was open to the world for but a short time. Grateful for that which she left. She was not nor ever was lost to drugs or any other destructive force, she simply made a choice to live her life. I know, I am her daughter.

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    1. God bless you and your dear Mom whom I just discovered today!!! I had to find out more about her and googled this blog! My brother posted this beautiful song The Land of Make Believe on my facebook page which I heard before with Nana Mouskouri. When I heard that a few years ago it became a dream of mine to sing that song with Chuck Mangione. But when I heard your Mom sing it today I cried through the whole song as she sang it so beautifully and her sweet vibe just fit the orchestration and music so perfectly. That song is just hers because it sits perfectly in her throat. Im just glad I got to hear her today. Please tell her thanks from Susan.

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    2. Your mother was truly amazing...but I'm sure you already know that. I saw her years ago in NYC at a small club-"My Fathers Place" and I was about 5 feet away from her.She touched my soul...my brother was also a huge fan of hers along with Chuck Mangione. He passed away 8 years ago and one of his requests was to have us play Chase the Clouds Away at his service...to this day she mesmerizes with her soulful voice. God Bless her ALWAYS for the joy she brought to so many people...would love to see her again...

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    3. I loved your mother's voice. She truly was an inspiration. I only wish I could sing as beautifully as she. Luckily I have one of her albums. My favorite song she sang is "Soft". Perhaps she will sing again. I would love to hear her.

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    4. I'm so happy to hear any news on one of my longtime idols - effortless and beautiful. Her album Once I loved I listen to so much.. I am so glad she is living a joy filled life...

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    5. I can only echo what has already been said about this fabulous singer of my youth. I wish that she would return to the world of music but I fully understand she had to live her life the way she saw fit, but in a short three year span she has left behind beautiful music that will be appreciated by generations to come.

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    6. That is good news. Please tell your mom that I am her biggest fan. (I must be!) I was able to secure a second new vinyl through auction and it has been worth every penny. My favorites vary at times from Chase the Clouds to You must believe in Spring, but over time I always come back to the need to be.

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    7. God bless your mom. What an incredibly beautiful voice. I'm singing a song she did tonight at open mic in NYC. "If You Know me Any Longer Than Tomorrow." I hope she will consider singing again. She would sell out venues across the U.S. and Europe.

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    8. I'm very proud to own the 1973 produced "Land of make believe". I had the oppertunity to buy this record during a visit to Paris 1974.
      And as I heard this beautifull voice, which touched my heart as nothing else did before, I tried without success (no www in this time) to find anything about Esther. Today 40 years later, I once again listened to this wonderfull record, decided to look "www" and I'm glad to find info's and I'm sorry, she stopped singing.
      Sorry I never had a chance to see her live in Germany.

      Wishing her and her family the very very best and the wonderfull voice of her touches my heart today as it did 40 years ago

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    9. Gosh, I was so happy to see someone who was related to Esther Satterfield posting! I came home tonight and the first thing on the radio was Land of Make Believe! One of my favorite singers ever, and wish there was more of her. Always wonder what happened to her, although I read about her family some time ago, that has never got around enough and some people still don't know...the jazz dj expressed this. I saw her LIVE!! in Santa Monica with Chuck Mangione and it was just the best ever, I won't ever forget!

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    10. I was in love with her voice too and like others I have occasionally looked for information on her. I was a big Mangione fan but if not for Esther in "Soft" and "Land of Make Believe", Mangione would have been a short lived fancy.

      Glad to hear she has done well and her choice was personal. Awesome to connect with her daughter!

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    11. Dear Carla

      Is your mom still alive by any chance?

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    12. Dear Carla

      Is your mom still alive by any chance?

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    13. "Land of Make Believe" has always been one of my favorites of the last 30 or so years. Your mom's voice is truly an inspiration to me each time I hear the music and that voice. Please relay to her the joy and blessings she has given me all these years.

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    14. I was an emerging poet when I first heard you Mom's voice. That voice was a poem all by itself, a melody full of images, sentiment without sentimentality, emotion that you listened to with rapt attention. I have since published sixteen books and her voice still gives me a taste of poetry I strive to achieve.
      McElroy

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    15. My daughter, Olivia Vicary is only 12 years old, and recently discovered your Mom's work. She's the vocalist for her Junior High Jazz Band and they are soon to be singing your Mom's soulful and wonderful song, "The Land of Make Believe." You'll have to watch for it on youtube in the upcoming months! Great to hear your Mom is well and living her life!! Well deserved!! <3

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    16. Ms. Carla....I have been trying to track your mother down for years.....can you PLEASE put me in touch with her. She was my voice coach in high school, now I own my own radio station...she was a great inspiration to me. tony@groovecityfx.com

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    17. Who was Esther singing about in the song "Lullaby for Nancy"?

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    18. Hi Carla:-) my parents were from Rochester and my dad was a jazz player who was friends with the Mangiones. I was 6 when they took me to my first concert. Your mom came out on stage and threw her arms open and started singing and I cried…at 6:-) she is the reason I became a jazz singer. I have never felt such love and respect for a voice as hers, please tell her that she changed my life:-)

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    19. And the song Lullaby for Nancy was for Chucks daughter

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    20. Touching tribute, Cynthia.

      Isn't it amazing how people - strangers, teachers, the store clerk with a ready smile - can touch and influence us and never know it. Unless one such as you lets it be known. I do not bemoan Esther's brief career. I respect her more deeply for the choice she made. But oh how her voice touched me. America needs the voices of such artists now more than ever.

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    21. I danced with my daughter 15 years ago @her wedding. The song we selected was daddy’s little girl. I have missed placed my album. This song is no where to be found. We would love to reminisce if we could hear it again. Please help.

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    22. I'm dying to meet her I use to sing her sons

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    23. Love is fat stronger than we. What a song, what a voice!!!!

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  4. Hey Carla ! Your mom has a terrific voice ! And her version of The Land of Make Believe was awesome....

    You should be proud....

    And I wish her the best....

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  5. We (the Kitchen Table Comedy Team) opened for her at the Bitter End in the late seventy's & early eighty's. She was always fun to watch. Her voice created port holes to heaven.

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    1. I caught her at The Bitter end several times, and was always blown away by her voice.

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  6. Any chance Esther might re-release her music on a digital format? Would be great to store away the vinals only for special occasions.

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  7. I was lucky enough to see her perform live with Chuck Mangione in Central Park. I also have 2 of her solo albums on vinyl as well as the Mangione Land of Make Believe. I wish that her solos were available on CD or MP3. They are beautiful.

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  8. Esther was pure magic and a silken voice that cocooned you with warmth like the sun at noon.I will always cherish her unique beauty and musical joy. She is a pure legend with one purpose to give...and her gift is forever ours to enjoy...bliss.

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  9. A compilation of her golden treasury should be done and named Bliss.

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    1. I couldn't agree more. She still has alot of fans who would run to go see her perform...or even buy her music. I saw her several times with Chuck Mangione..I've seen no show like it since!

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  10. Back in the late 90s, I had found a Jazz Compilation CD in the Bargain Bin of a quaint, Mom-and-Pop music store in Downtown Los Angeles - I was in my late 20s and I was on the hunt for some music when I stumbled upon a compilation Jazz CD.

    Upon seeing the name Chuck Mangione listed under one of the tracks, and me knowing his only “hit” (I was raised on Motown, 60s R&B and 80s Metal – so my flavor for Jazz was green), I picked it up for the helluvit; I listened to that entire CD that night (I used to listen to music through headphones as I fell asleep) and as one of the later tracks faded in, my ears couldn’t help but to perk to attention.

    Ok so, the music’s reminding me of some cheesy, 70s sitcom music a-la the Bob Newhart Show – but nonetheless, I’m diggin’ the groove and I’m curious as to where it’s going… I then hear this incredible voice tune in with:

    What is there to fear…
    From the darkness that surrounds us?
    I don't really know the way, but that's okay…
    As long as we're together!

    Oh my god! I was moved – Oh man, was I blown away! I was adhered to this voice… this bird-like, singing voice! This voice is captivating me and I’m falling for this song the more and more I listen to it – I hit the repeat button just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke – I absolutely fell in love with this track – this was my absolute favorite track of this compilation. I don’t know why, but I love the very last “fun!” lyric as she holds it all the way through until the band stops – then you can hear her finish the remanding breath of that last note… just before she says “Thank you!”… oh man, I love this track!

    My CD with the song As Long As We’re Together was stolen out of my car, along with my 500 CD storage case and my stereo – it was a sad day for me because I lost a lot of music – music that made my heart beat.

    Fast forward ten years or so, a melody pops in my head… ‘da-da, da-da-daaaaa’ --- I couldn’t complete it – I couldn’t put my finger on it, it was killing me for weeks! ‘Da-da, da-da-daaaaa’… then I have a revalation… ‘da-da-da-da-daaaaa… from the darkness that surrounds us” – HOLY MACKERAL! I HAVE A LEAD! So then I hit Google and come up empty. Then I start brainstorming – working overtime – then it hits me… ‘it’s that song from that one CD!’ – so I then Google: “Chuck Mangione - from the darkness that surrounds us” – low and behold, I found my lost love!

    I love how the universe just brought this song back into my life. This is one of my favorite songs ever and I just absolutely love how it speaks to me - Esther Satterfield may have had a short career – but she left us quality, not quantity! Now that the information is at my fingertips, I have the opportunity to track down this woman’s work and I get to rediscover a piece of history as if it is a new-found love!

    Esther Satterfield – your voice and melody remained embedded in my soul for the past 10 years, from only a small window of time from when I was first introduced to your voice, until it was taken away from me, to be gone forever. This is how powerful of an impact your voice has had on people – on me specifically. I was able to track you down from only the opening melody and lyric of this song, and now I get to discover the other works of a talented woman!

    Thank you Esther Satterfield – thank you so much for leaving such an impact on my soul. It’s a rare moment for me when I can recall a song from the far past of my memory just on a melody and a few words. I’m glad it was you that my light was calling upon – I can live the rest of my life happy again… as long as we’re together!

    Thank you ~Yesterday’s Poem~
    Thank you for attracting me!
    ~phil

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    1. Awesome tribute to Esther. I had a very similar experience to her work.....it touched my soul.....right when I needed it. It was in the late '70's and I was in my 20's. That "bird-like", almost vulnerable sound penetrated into my soul with warmth. "As Long as We're Together", "Soft", and "Land of Make Believe" are as unique as they are unforgettable.

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  11. Just today I found the song Soft and that is was sung bij Esther Satterfield. Finally. I heard the song for the first time in the seventies. I was really mesmerized by the song and the voice of the singer. And thru the years I never have forgotten the song and used to sing it to myself, trying to remember the lyrics. This song moves my heart in ways I cannot tell. Esther Satterfields' voice and songs are truly a blessing. Found some more on youtube. Thank you for your voice and God bless you, Esther Satterfield.

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  12. Have loved this song since I first heard it in 1973 in San Diego. The local KGB FM rock station played this every day. So glad to hear that Esther is living a great life. Her family's gain is her fan's loss (but she has her priorities right). Thanks for the music you gave us (and to your buddy Chuck). Still, would love hear more. Bill in San Diego.

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  13. Esther Satterfield was the first jazz album I was introduced to in 1976...My uncle james (now with alzheimers) told me to listen to it. I cried when I heard chase the clouds away. I played that album all summer while vacationing in NH at their home. My uncle can't remember but I do and I thank him and esther for changing my life. I became a real jazz fan at age 10yrs old. That summer was the best ever.

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  14. It's been said by everyone here but, Esther Satterfield's voice was angelic and haunting. It has remained with me since first hearing her in the 70's. I am blessed to own one of her albums: slightly scratched from years of play. I hope she is well and aware of the intense impact she has had upon the music industry, along with her many, many fans. If she ever chose to sing in public again, I would certainly be there. Thanks for 40 years of hearing your charming voice! CJ from Buffalo

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  15. This song made my feelings soar. I first heard it and Ester Satterfield’s voice when I was in college in the late seventies; it touched my soul. I was full of hopes and dreams, a bright future ahead. Time passed. Life has taken a toll, beaten up my dreams really bad. Sometimes I feel hopeless. Once and awhile I remembered the tune and how it made me feel, could not remember the album, who did it or the words; but the tune helped me on dark days, it’s not just for children.

    Couldn’t sleep the past two nights. Last night I thought of this song, had to find it. I got on Google and You Tube put in all type of things and somehow something sparked my memory of Chuck M. When I heard Ester Satterfield and the arrangement, her voice touched me again after so many years; I could not hold back the tears.

    Carla, thank your mom for me for leaving such a song. She truly does it justice--it was made for her. I’m going to Amazon to get it. I’m not going to let this jewel of a song slip through my fingers again.

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  16. I first heard her in the very early 80's. I was going through a marital breakup - and I listened to her - on vinyl !!! every night. There was something so healing about her voice. I so wish her music was on digital format!!1
    thank you Esther

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  17. One of the really nice times in my life, that I remember, is a Saturday afternoon the third weekend of September a long time ago at the Monterey Jazz Festival. I spent an hour sitting in the sun next to a very pretty little girl named Esther who had just finished singing Land of Make Believe. A couple of years ago, I ran into Joe La Barbera (see Land of Make Believer) and I asked him whatever happened to that pretty little girl. He said, best he knew, she decided to leave the music business and get a job teaching in Washington. I surely hope everything worked out well for her.

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  18. It's so wonderful to hear everyone comment on Esther Satterfield, I'm glad to know its not just me that found her so beautiful. I started my jazz appreciation in high school in the early 70's, followed Chuck M's career, and when she did "Chase the clouds away", it was like Phil said, "Holy Mackel".
    I told my wife in 2010 when you hear this, it's going to blow you away, and I will never forget her reaction, there was something heavenly about that particular cut, that just gets in your spirit, first off, Chuck did a superb job on the instrumental, and Esther road on the top of it perfectly.

    You could visualize the whole thing in your mind and spirit, and there was something so wholesome about her voice, it was not only natural, but you could feel the love in it, and a certain reign of truth.

    I do feel in my spirit, she is a woman that has strong family values and beliefs, and it seem to come out in her voice.
    To her daughter Carla, God bless you and her, and I hope all is well for you and the families.

    Mike

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  19. I worked for Esther as performer, arranger and bandleader from 1979-80. It was not a happy experience for me and the band. I've written an account of my experience with her and Jake Jordan in my book, "The Vagabonds, A Musician's Odyssey," published by Outskirts Press and available in paperback and ebook everywhere. I respected her deeply before working with her and after, but I didn't find that the message of her music resonated in the way she treated me and the band I had assembled. She fell off the musical radar shortly after that experience. Too bad. She could have been a formidable force in music. Thomas Gambino

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  20. Always gonna be one d-head whenever people are sharing their love. Too bad.

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  21. Is Esther Satterfield (Jordan) still alive? She certainly deserves her own Facebook page and I am willing to help create one for no cost.

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  22. Please let Esther know that she is loved, admired and missed by me. She and Chuck Mangione were my rock back in the day. Esther chased many clouds away in the 1970s. I am now 61 years old. God bless forever, creativity, passion and Love. XoXo

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  23. If Esther reads this, Hello from Michael and Ikie Montemurro. Watching you perform LITTLE THINGS, at Carnegie Hall was one of the highlights of my life. RIParadise Jake. You can contact me at baronmontemurroduo.com As the song says, "Funny how time just slips away" Michael Montemurro

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  24. If Esther reads this, Hello from Michael and Ikie Montemurro. Watching you perform LITTLE THINGS, at Carnegie Hall was one of the highlights of my life. RIParadise Jake. You can contact me at baronmontemurroduo.com As the song says, "Funny how time just slips away" Michael Montemurro

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    1. I have heard Esther's Chase the Clouds Away and would like hear again and purchase. Very difficult to accomplish.









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  25. With so many touching comments made about Esther and her vocal talents and contributions, I don't feel I can add anything that hasn't already been said. all I really want to say is THANK YOU. Her beautiful and inspiring voice on "Land of Make Believe" brings tears of joy, hope and simplicity to my heart! Chuck's song with her vocals are truly an arrangement made in heaven. After 40+ years, it still evokes feeling in so many.

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  26. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR HOW CHUCK MANGIONE DISCOVERED HER AND WHETHER OR NOT HE HEARD HER ONLY ONCE AND PICKED HER FROM ON THE SPOT AT SOME CLUB OR RECITAL. I AM PLAYING THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE RIGHT NOW AND I NEVER TIRE OF IT.

    OF COURSE CHUCK MANGIONE'S MUSIC OVERWHELMS ME AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN MS SATTERFIELD AND CHUCK MANGIONE ARE PERFORMING TOGETHER.. THE SONG WILL EASILY STAND THE TEST OF TIME AS IT HAS ALREADY.

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  27. Beautiful singer, I remembered when my oldest sister would sing Land of make believe. My sister died from breast cancer. When I listen to Ester sing this song it make me happy. I love to sing it as well my sister always would say you sing it just like her. Anyways, thank you Ester for having such a beautiful voice God bless you and your family love...

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  28. I lived in Rochester NY (Chuck Mangione's home town)when Chase The Clouds Away came out. I still have the vinyl and play it often. Used to go to a funky bar in the basement of Xerox Tower where Gap Mangione would play piano 'in the round' - the piano was in the middle of the bar/elevated....wild...anyway - I'm working on a project and was trying to find Esther Satterfield to see if she would like to participate - I'm on the boarder of SC/NC now...I understand she was born in NC but that is all I know....I can be reached here: deb.messmer@yahoo.com Thx!

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  29. Esther is still alive and retired and living life. I know her personally and she doesn't want to be in the spotlight anymore. She lives at home and stays busy with her nonprofit and being actively involved in her faith.

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  30. Esther, Would love to say hello sometime. I have always wondered how you were getting on. I can be reached at michaelmontemurro.com

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  31. Esther's singing certainly lasts. I share the feeling others expressed - a voice, a song, popping into my head decades later .. Oh, of course, Esther singing "Chase the Clouds Away" or "Land of Make Believe". Thank you for what you gave us. I hope you are also enjoying what life offers and what you continue to give to it.

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  32. I recently got an Ion turntable to transfer my vinyl records to digital files so I can put them onto my phone. I realized today I have 16 Mangione albums!
    We haven't listened to them in ages because we haven't had a turntable in years.

    I started with the 1973 live concert album "Land of Make Believe" with the Canadian Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. And there was Esther's beautiful voice on "Lullaby for Nancy Carol" and "Land of Make Believe." I had forgotten how pure her voice was. Simply wonderful.

    I decided to Google her, and found these blog posts. I'm so glad her daughter posted to let us know of her decision to leave the music biz. But I'm sure glad she's left us with some great recordings.

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    1. I forgot to mention that she also sang the vocal on "As Long As We're Together" on that album.

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  33. Does anyone know the history of the song "Sarah"? I ask, b/c a few months ago, my beloved introduced this song to me by prefacing, "I wonder how many songs are about you?" He didn't know that the lyrics would make me cry, b/c it felt like she knew me, my soul, my being, moments of my life captured in her words, unknowingly so, as I had yet to be born.

    As I listened to the song (a few times over), I kept crying, b/c in that moment, i knew the depths of synchronicity that exist if attuned. He was horrified when he saw me crying, b/c well, he hates seeing people cry, and had he known it would be an aspect of my reaction, he likely wouldn't have shared it. I told him that all tears are happy tears, b/c it means that I'm feeling, lol.

    Any direction would be greatly appreciated, as I'd love to contact her, or her family directly to find out. My contact information, for the universe to assist when and as needed.

    Blessings all,

    Sarah Paz Hyde
    www.sarahpazhyde.com

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  34. Any new links to download her 2 single albums?

    Its really hard to fine them on the web.

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  35. I found the colorful Chuck Mangione with Esther Satterfield, "Land of Make Believe" album in my Dad's collection in the mid 70's as a 10 yo. I played that cut over & over, as I remember how positive it made me feel. Every time. I agree that Chuck's arrangement along with Ms.Satterfield's voice in is perfection & angelic. I remember that my Mom & Dad were at My Father's Place to see Chuck Mangione live & Esther Satterfield performed her magic that night as well. I was fortunate to see Chuck Mangione play live at Westbury Music Fair about a decade later... I, also, was instantly turned into a jazz fan at the age of 10. Esther Satterfield, I love your voice. I am happy to hear that you are living your life as you wish...God bless you & your loved one's.
    -Ri in CO

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  36. Truly a great singer. It is an unmistakable voice. Happiness has many definitions, life has many meanings and I hope Esther Satterfield found the happiness and life that befits her the most.

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  37. Lazing around the house on a beautiful summer day and from out of nowhere "Land of Make Believe" is echoing inside my head: Got to hear it - NOW! Pulled it up on my laptop, played it a half dozen times and now going to look for vinyl to add to my new collection. Had the vinyl years ago, but you know the story...

    And Ms. Satterfield, where are you, beautiful woman? Your voice and song renew my soul. Love to you and the world.

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  38. I loved playing https://youtu.be/84u-IzjHuDw
    “If you know me any longer than tomorrow” on Nashville’s WFSK 88.1FM and listening to it on Detroit’s WJZZ 105.9FM. BEAUTIFUL VOICE!!

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  39. Hello Mrs Esther, my aunt has often wondered how you're doing, you ladies were once sister in laws if you can remember Doris Jones at Hank Hills house in Chicago. You can contact her at:
    Doris2oscar@comcast.net
    She would love to talk to you ❤️

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  40. Dear Carla. I had the great opportunity to see your Mom perform at The Schaeffer Music Festival in New York City's Central Park's Wollman Rink on Saturday, August 21,1976. She was absolutely magnificent. Chuck Mangione and his Quartet was her back up band that evening. It was magical and I'm glad I was there to enjoy it. Thank you and best wishes to you and your Mom.

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  41. I was fortunate to see her several times in concert with Chuck Mangione and still chereish all of her (vinyl) "albums". I was captivated by her pure clear tone and perfect pitch, and always wondered what happened to her. Esther and Chuck were truly magical together. They were the soundtrack of my life!

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  42. Pourquoi le lien du site Dolabuy?

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