It is with great sadness that I hear that the incomparable Eartha Kitt has left the stage for the last time – aged 81 (and with a vitality to shame many half her age) she passed away yesterday. The singer of “Santa Baby” has had her last Christmas.

Eartha was a true one- off, a ground breaker – her saucy, naughty songs often purred in French as well as English, teased and tantalised in a way that has never been surpassed. She’s a great favourite at Circa, and her songs are included in many of our playlists – indeed tomorrow I’ll be playing her material in the shop tomorrow as a tribute. She will be greatly missed.

Here is a clip from 1962 of (what I consider) her signature tune – “I want to be evil”. Enjoy.

Here’s a link to Eartha’s official website