Singer Nancy Wilson
Grammy award-winning singer Nancy Wilson, whose hits ranged from
R&B to jazz and funk, died at her California home at age 81 on
Thursday after a long illness, her publicist said.
Wilson, who came to fame as a torch singer in the 1960s, called
herself a “song-stylist” and resisted labeling as a jazz singer for most
of her career since she could cross many genres.
“She was one of those rare vocalists who could do it all.” longtime publicist Devra Hall Levy told Reuters. “Jazz, blues, pop and even funk. She did it all.”
Wilson’s “How Glad I Am” earned her a Grammy in 1965 for best
R&B performance. She won more Grammys in 2005 and 2007 for jazz,
along with a 2004 lifetime achievement award, the Jazz Masters
Fellowship, from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Nancy Wilson holds her Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album
“Nancy gave her all for her fans,” Levy said.
A music critic once called Wilson the heir apparent to iconic jazz
singer Ella Fitzgerald, and she was influenced by Nat King Cole and
other legendary vocalists.
Her first album “Like in Love” came out in 1959 to commercial
success and she frequently topped the Billboard pop charts in the 1960s.
Jazz historian and author Ted Gioia told Reuters that the jazz
world had lost a music giant whose supple talents brought her songs
emotive heights.
“She was one of those rare vocalists who could sing any style,
cross any genre but still put her unique imprint on the music. Her
albums were full of gems,” Gioia said.
(Reuters)
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