Jazz Star Cassandra Wilson Has Died

By Newsdesk

Jazz singer and songwriter Cassandra Wilson has passed away aged 70.

Her manager, Robert Torre, confirmed on Wednesday that the celebrated performer died at her residence in Jackson, Mississippi one day earlier.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist. Cassandra Wilson transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager," he told jazz radio broadcaster WBGO in an official announcement. "Her family and close friends respectfully ask for privacy during this difficult time as they grieve her loss."

No details surrounding her cause of death have been revealed. Information about a forthcoming memorial will be announced at a later date.

Wilson studied classical music during her school years before helping establish the M-Base collective in New York. The group created a fresh interpretation of jazz, funk and soul.

She later achieved wider recognition through her third studio record, Blue Skies, released in 1988. Her 1995 project New Moon Daughter earned her the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

Wilson received another Grammy Award in 2008 when Loverly was named Best Jazz Vocal Album.

In 2001, TIME magazine’s editors described the acclaimed vocalist as "America's Best Singer".

Several artists paid tribute to Wilson and her influence after learning of her passing.

"Cassandra. The Siren Of Sirens. That Voice, That Gift. Damn," Questlove shared on Instagram.

Jon Batiste also reflected on the numerous times he worked alongside Wilson.

"I learned so much from her and I am so sad she has passed away. She had an unmistakable vocal tone, phrasing and her approach of weaving folkloric, R&B and diasporic music together with experimental and popular genres had a major impact on me. She sounded like the south. Her Mississippi heritage was always present in everything no matter how expansive her artistry evolved," he stated.

Wilson leaves behind her son, Jeris.