Sad news to report. Jazz legend Nancy Wilson died at 81 years old yesterday, December 13. According to the Associated Press, she passed away after a long illness at her home in Pioneertown, California, which is near Joshua Tree National Park.
WATCH: That Time Nancy Wilson Slayed In ‘The Cosby Show’
The three-time Grammy winner got her big break in the 1960s with songs like 1963’s “Tell Me The Truth,” 1968’s “Face It Girl, It’s Over” and 1964’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” which was her biggest hit, charting at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2004, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded her with the”Jazz Masters Fellowship.” She retired in 2011, but was always a huge inspiration for vocalists across genres. John Legend wrote on Twitter, “So sad to hear about the passing of the great Nancy Wilson. She was a magical performer. I’m so glad I was able to spend time with her and hear her beautiful voice in person.”
Jazz legend Diane Reeves wrote, “My favorite Nancy Wilson album eternally beautiful Rest In Peace and Grace.” See below:
https://twitter.com/DianneReeves1/status/1073457894782169088
Entertainment reporter Shaun Robinson also wrote on Twitter, “What an amazing woman with the voice of an angel. RIP Nancy Wilson. Grammy winning jazz singer, dies at 81.”
See Nancy Wilson’s life in photos and videos, below:
