Legendary Grammy winning jazz singer Nancy Wilson passed away at her home in Pioneertown, Calif. late Thursday, her manager confirmed to the Associated Press. She was 81.
No cause of death was disclosed, but she was hospitalized in 2008 for a respiratory illness. Ms. Wilson retired from touring in 2011.
Her impressive career spanned 50 years. She was revered for her jazz/pop hits such as “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am”. Her golden vocals earned her the titles “grand diva of jazz”, “complete entertainer” and her personal favorite: “song stylist”.
She won three Grammy awards and recorded more than 70 albums over the course of her career. In 1986, she was dubbed the Global Entertainer of the Year by the World Conference of Mayors.
Wilson also enjoyed a successful career in television, film and radio, and she was featured in shows such as “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Police Story.”
She was married twice, first to drummer Kenny Dennis, whom she divorced in 1970, and then to Wiley Burton, who died in 2008.
She is survived by her daughters Samantha Burton and Cheryl Burton, son Kacy Dennis and her five grandchildren.
A family statement said no funeral service will be held, but her life will be celebrated at a memorial service in February, according to IBtimes.com.
Tributes poured in from around the world as fans took to social media to remember Ms. Wilson’s timeless music and to share photos of her.
But one fan, longtime SR reader Bird, remembered Wilson for her natural hair always pressed and laid to perfection.
Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
