Here's to Life is a song written by Artie Butler (music) and Phyllis Molinary (lyrics). It was first released by Shirley Horn on her 1992 Verve album Here’s to Life, with Johnny Mandel as arranger and conductor; the album was recorded in September 1991. The track, which runs about 5 minutes and 37 seconds, became Horn’s signature tune and is a poignant yet optimistic vocal jazz centerpiece. The lyric follows an older narrator looking back on life with hope, and the lush orchestral arrangement by Mandel—featuring Wynton Marsalis on trumpet on two tracks—adds to its emotional impact. The song is widely regarded as a modern jazz standard, and Mandel won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) for the album.
