Songwriter and pianist Dave Frishberg was well known to jazz fans for his stylish, witty approach as a lyricist and a performer. He had a strong, graceful approach to the piano that made room for the influences of 1920s artists such as Fats Waller and Jelly Roll Morton while adding a modern sophistication, demonstrating his personal knack for delivering fun with a touch of class. As a lyricist, Frishberg's work was playfully literate, with a keen wit that made him a favorite of cabaret artists and jazz vocalists. He can be heard in his element on 1984's Live at Vine Street, a solo set dominated by his original material, though his first LP, 1970's Oklahoma Toad, was an adventurous effort to present his work in a contemporary jazz context, and 2001's The Starlit Hour was one of many collaborative efforts in his catalog, backing vocalist Rebecca Kilgore.