Sandra Staley Vaporetti

Sandy was one of a kind. Fabulous singer
Funny as hell and a terrific friend. We all miss her and think if her often ....the good times❤

What a great storyteller Sandy was. She set the gold standard for what it means to be a great singer and musician. She had great respect for her audience, fans and fellow musicians. Sandy Staley, you are an original. We love you.

I studied with Sandy for awhile at Duquesne at a difficult time in my life in which singing jazz seemed to be a way out. She accepted me as I was and made a little home for me around the piano at the old Great Scot in Oakland. Her example is always with me.

I was so glad to have been able to hear, see and meet Sandy in person when I was in town. It enhances her latest CD so much more, having had the experience.

Jenny Im so sorry to hear about your mother,She was a strong and very gifted woman.Hope your doing well and your in my prayers,

We are adding our names to those of all the others whom Sandy entertained (and educated)over the years. What a delight to have known her. She enriched the lives of us all and will be ever missed.

Nancy Moore and John Lucarelli

I have had the pleasure of being Sandy's sound engineer numerous times. Sandy never failed to make everyone in the room smile; she would single out younger men, like myself and make some humorous remark over the microphone which would make us blush.

I always looked forward to working with her, and I even had the chance to record a few live shows which Tony Mowad has in his possession.

She left behind a great legacy of timeless music for countless generations to enjoy.

Sandy will be greatly missed, but her memory will be eternal!

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Our sincere condolences to Sandy's
family...She was a real 'trooper' and
gave-it-her-all in spite of her hardships. She was a "performers'
performer" and a total 'hoot', as well
as a magnificent vocalist/performer/entertainer!
Any & every chance we had to catch her gigs, we did...as she was a real treat and very generous insofar as sharing her stage with 'others', etc.
She was 'one-of-a-kind', for sure,
and we will miss her.
May she rest in peace.
"K" & Virgil

Besides her wonderful vocal talent...I will miss Sandy's unique on-stage personality...jazz will miss her, Pittsburgh will miss her. musicians will miss her and I will miss her as a dear and longtime friend. Charlotte Nelson

On and off for 24 years in Pittsburgh's rooms from New York, New York, to private Holiday parties with friends, to Rhythm House for New Year's eve to my final encounter to see her at Spin. I got one of her CD's from her this last evening, "Everything I Love", and am grateful that I can keep the memories of her so loud and clear anytime I want.

She never missed a chance to personalize a greeting often from across a crowded room and often could do so with a song. She was an encyclopedia tour of the jazz world for composers and players and singers. She had a unique ability to put almost any tune one could request to piano with her marked voice of song and scat and sass.

Jenny she often spoke of you and shared success stories with such pride.

I was fortunate to have had time to know her and share in her passion.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to see Sandy and so disappointed I never got to play for her.

My condolences as Pittsburgh has lost another great original voice.
My deepest sympathies.

Jenny Your Mom will be remembered as a Pittsburgh jazz Great and the funniest woman to ever live! We All Loved Her!

I didn't know Sandy very well, but did get to see and listen to her occasionally. She was a wonderful singer and quite the comedienne! She will be missed. May she rest peacefully. My sympathies to her family.

Dear Jenny,
The world has lost one of the greatest
jazz talents anyone has ever heard.
Her voice and jazz conception was surpassed by no one.
She is in a wonderful place now; and we will all see her again someday
My prayers are with you and your Mom.
Jerry Lucarelli

All of the fun, all of the laughter and those wonderful 3 a.m.'s at the Crescendo...I was only a part of the background, but I appreciated Sandy's talent and loved being around her and her beautiful voice. Her music was always a healing thing; the secret ingredient to any emotion.
My deepest condolences to Jenny, family and friends.

As a new vocalist moving to Pittsburgh from New York City a few years ago, I would hear Sandy Staley's name from many people and many times..."you have to hear her," or "she's amazing," or "you will never be the same!" and on and on. I found it extraordinary that she was touching so many types of people from all walks of life so I made it a point to go hear her. It was immediately evident to me that I was in the presence of greatness. I don't think she knew me, but now I certainly understand that, for those who had the opportunity to hear her for many years, you were so very fortunate. I wish I could have had more time to listen and study her before she had to leave us. I am saddened by the loss of her extremely special gift. I feel fortunate to have been able to hear her before she left for a higher gig. Although I don't know Sandy's family, I do wish you my sincerest sympathy for your loss. Clare Ascani

I first met Sandy in 1992, when I was going through my separation and impending divorce. My passion for Broadway and jazz and her ability to find the great songs and ballads of old to make her own, fed our new found friendship. Her eyes would light up whenever I walked into New York New York, where she performed twice a week. I immediately became a Sandy "groupee" and showed up religiously to hear her sing and play in the good-old days at bars, restaurants and night clubs around Pittsburgh including the great Cafe Azure on Craig Street, the infamous Balcony on Walnut Street, the Oakland Holiday Inn Sunday Night Jazz series, the Colony Restaurant in Scott township, the southside Club Cafe and the list goes on. On several occassions she surprised my guests in my Shadyside apartment when she would sing for a cocktail or dinner party.

Later when life took me in other directions, from time to time I would run into Sandy and we instantly picked up where we left off. The last time I saw Sandy was at a Cher concert at Peterson Center. She was sitting in a wheel chair and her eyes lit up at seeing me, just like they did that first night in 1992.

Her ability to find great underplayed classics with powerful lyrics and build them in a sincerely "Staleyesque" spellbinding song was her trademark. We were blessed to have this talent in our lives.

When word buzzed around our newsroom last Friday that Sandy Staley had died, we were all saddened. What a loss to all who admire great musical knowledge, understanding and skill, total techinical and creative command of one's instrument, a sometimes impish, warm and friendly personality, and a refined ability to make personal, emotional contact with an audience. Sandy epitomized all those thing to me. We didn't know each other well, but I was convinced that everytime I heard her perform, she and I were connected on the same wave length. No matter what the song, Sandy always got it all and passed it on. She was one of a kind. Had she not chosen to remain in Pittsburgh, the world would be mourning her loss. My condolances and best wishes to the Vaporetti and Staley families.

Jenny and Jon: My profound sorrow for the loss of our dear, dear Sandy. This is not just a loss for the jazz community but for humanity itself. She brought so much pleasure and entertainment to so many that will not be duplicated. She could make you laugh and cry at the same time - a skill few possess. May she rest in eternal peace.

Sandy had a way of making you a friend, even if she only saw you a few times in her lifetime. I liked her as soon as I met her and our 2005 interview was a highlight in my career as a newspaper journalist....I am a fan of jazz, she was great...but more than that she was a personality you don't forget, warm and caring as well as so very talented. We shared bits about our pets and I know she loved her Bichon, as I love my spaniel, who, by the way, she encourgaed me to adopt two years ago. Bless her. I miss her already...

The world is a less musical, less humorous, and less humane now. I count myself as incredibly fortunate to have gotten to work with Sandy sometimes, but even moreso just have known her. She was an amazing musical force, sounding amazing even when she was feeling bad. And she knew how lucky she was to have a caring Daughter and wonderful friends. Thanks Sandy, and RIP.

I count playing music with this wonderful woman as one of the special blessings of my life. I can recall many gigs where only the love of the music and the music fans got her through the physical toll of performance. I'll never forget watching her determination through that time. And I will also remember her sense of humor- and I'm sure everyone who knew her knows what I'm talking about without the examples.

Jenny, from me and my family, our sympathies and prayers.

You will always be remembered for the joy you brought into the lives of those you touched and our friendship will never be forgotten. Thank you for all the happiness you brought and my your star continue to shine even after you song has ended.

It was an honor to have performed with Sandy, Pittsburgh musical royalty, in 1997. She told me that her role as Dolly Levi in the Sq. Hill JCC Main Stage's Production of "Hello, Dolly!" was her first foray into musical theatre -- but her incredible voice, confidence, talent, and stage presence belied that. Although as Cornelius Hackl, I only had a few scenes with her, but it was an honor to watch and learn from her during every rehearsal. She will obviously be immensely missed in the local (jazz) music community. My sincere condolences go out to all her family and friends. - Jeffrey Lawrence Pollock, Esq. - Sq. Hill

My heart and soul rebel at the mere idea that Sandy is gone from us.

The Pittsburgh music scene will never be the same. Nor will those of us who knew/loved her.

I can’t remember when I first met her. It was somewhere in Shadyside (the Encore, perhaps), long, long ago.

She was not just a talented singer, but she was a warm and caring human being. When she was in a room where I was (club or private home), she exuded an aura of love – not just for music, but for the people. I felt a warmth just seeing her.

We re-met (is that a word?) in the early 80’s when she often was at Frank Cunimondo’s
“Keyboard Club” in Verona. She had not forgotten me, and even at that late stage in my life, often asked me to sing with or after her. She was special.

Jen, I think I met you once a hundred years ago. It matters not. What matters is that I hurt with you.

Sandy was a gift to all of us.
I already miss her.

She now sings with the angels.

Harriett Holcomb (Jackson)

My heart and soul rebel at the mere idea that Sandy is gone from us.

The Pittsburgh music scene will never be the same. Nor will those of us who knew/loved her.

I can’t remember when I first met her. It was somewhere in Shadyside (the Encore, perhaps), long, long ago.

She was not just a talented singer, but she was a warm and caring human being. When she was in a room where I was (club or private home), she exuded an aura of love – not just for music, but for the people. I felt a warmth just seeing her.

We re-met (is that a word?) in the early 80’s when she often was at Frank Cunimondo’s
“Keyboard Club” in Verona. She had not forgotten me, and even at that late stage in my life, often asked me to sing with or after her. She was special.

Jen, I think I met you once a hundred years ago. It matters not. What matters is that I hurt with you.

Sandy was a gift to all of us.
I already miss her.

She now sings with the angels.

Harriett Holcomb (Jackson)

Where do you start...the joy, the laughs, the tears - you always gave your all to make our lives richer and for this I am forever grateful. Your gifts, my dear friend Sandy, were never taken lightly even though you had a tendency to dismiss their impact on us.

dear Jenny, your performance over this past year has been perfection and oh was your Mother proud of her little girl.

We move on with a great void in our hearts that will never be filled, but we will continue her legacy of kindness, caring, respect and always delivering the very best we have to give and if we don't reach perfection every time, we always know we can work to reach her performace standard another day.

Peggy Dimperio

To Jenny and Family,
I just wanted to send condolonces to you on the passing of Sandy. I had the pleasure to see her perform when my father would visit. He is friends with Chuck and Bobby. I was always in awe of her talent. Take care of yourselves and peace be with you. Julie La Marca Giffen

Sandy was my muse- an amazing woman who seeme to appear at any bar I habited. Sandy taught at Carnegie Mellon at my request, teaching the Musical Theater kids there, and what a Master Class she gave- for six whole weeks she confounded those students with her genius and improvisation! Students learned more than they were capable of at that time in their lives, but the final concert with Sandy at the piano was divine.
Sandy was simply astounding. Brassy, bold, she sang with no regret- she made me laugh and cry all in an evening of listening to her genius. I first heard the unpublished song "If I'm Lucky" sung by Sandy, and immediately made it the tile of my CD. It will always be a tribute to Ms. Staley- who proudly proclaimed "I don't sing the top 50, I sing the bottom 500".
I'll always be grateful for my New Years Eve's at the Balconey listening to her and Maureen Budway and the amazing Rebecca Paris, surrounded by all the fabulous Pittsburgh musicians.
My tears are mixed with grief but also joy for the amazing life Sandy lived and demonstrated through her music.
Farewell to one of Pittsburgh's finest artists, with deep love and huge respect, Gary Kline

PS Jenny- I didn't know you, but thank you for all you did for your wonderful mother. She will be missed by thousands. Bless you, Jenny!

Dear Jenny .. our heartfelt condolences go out to you at this very sad time in your life.....what a great talent your mother was...a beautiful voice and a crazy sense of humor....she had it all....but most of all she had"you"....the wonderful self sacrificing daughter who was by her side for the last year when she needed you most.....without you she would never have survived as long as she did....she gave it her best shot and now it is her time to rest with your father....we will miss her always ...she was one of a kind. love and prayers ...noreen and joe orlando (monroeville pa)

My soul sister, my friend, my hero, she was one of the true Grandes Dames of jazz. I feel more than blessed to have had her in my life. Fly free now my love. Soar high and free!

Jenny, she was so very proud of the woman you've become and so are all of us. My deepest condolences to and always remember that you are not alone as long as we're around

We all loved Sandy, she was such a great performer, so strong, so bold, so uncompromising, so capable. A dear and very sincere person off of the bandstand. My heart goes out to Jenny and the rest of her family.

Sandy was a beautiful person with enormous musical abilities! I'm very honored to have known, and worked with her!

Many great memories of a great friend many years ago.Heaven waits. Ron Currie

Our sincere condolences to Sandy's daughter Jenny, who was there every minute taking care of her, and to the rest of Sandy's family. Words cannot express the void I feel in my heart now. We were blessed to have had her in our lives. We shared a bond that was way beyond the music we shared. We will always remember her with love.

Dear Vaporetti and Staley families,
Our heartfelt condolences.
The Orsinis

An era in music in Pittsburgh has passed. I was very fortunate to have the great fortune to accompany Sandy, taking over from my mentor Bobby Negri. I learned so much about music from that experience. I was also very fortunate to have Sandy as a friend. I will miss her very much and carry on and try to pass on what I learned from playing with her.

A talented colleague and wonderful woman who will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to her family.

Pittsburgh has lost an icon. We will all remember how she lit up our lives with her warm and vibrant music.