Music critic writes about how the American jazz treasure overcame childhood poverty to become one of the most famous singers in the world.

Read CNN's obituary of the First Lady of Song, who passed away in 1996 due to diabetes complications.

Read a transcript from a 1996 National Public Radio interview with singer Mel Torme, who describes her as the greatest singer on the planet.

Introduces a TV documentary about the legendary singer and invites students to contribute. Read what some other students have written about her.