Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson dies at 70
Grammy-winning jazz singer Cassandra Wilson died at age 70 in Jackson, Mississippi; her family requested privacy.
Cassandra Wilson, a two-time Grammy Award winner known for her deep contralto voice and genre-blending jazz work, died early Wednesday in Jackson, Mississippi, according to her longtime manager Robert Torre. No cause of death was disclosed, and her family asked for privacy while they mourn.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cassandra Wilson, the Grammy Award-winning and legendary jazz artist," Torre said in a statement, adding that Wilson "transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager."
Wilson, born in Jackson, began playing piano at six and guitar at twelve before moving to New York in the early 1980s, where she co-founded the M-Base collective with saxophonist Steve Coleman. She released her debut solo album "Point of View" in 1986 and gained wider recognition after signing with Blue Note Records for 1993’s "Blue Light ‘Til Dawn," an album noted for its mix of blues, jazz and pop influences.
Her accolades include Grammy Awards for best jazz vocal performance in 1997 for "New Moon Daughter" and best jazz vocal album in 2009 for "Loverly." Time magazine named her "America’s Best Singer" in 2001. Wilson’s collaborations spanned artists such as Steve Coleman, The Roots, Wynton Marsalis, Greg Osby, Luther Vandross, Angelique Kidjo, Terrence Blanchard and Olu Dara. Her most recent solo release, "Coming Forth by Day," was issued in 2015 as a tribute to Billie Holiday.