Grammy winner Cassandra Wilson has sadly died aged 70. The jazz singer-songwriter's death was confirmed by her longtime manager, Robert Torre, who revealed that she passed away surrounded by her family at her lavish home on Wednesday morning (September 2) in Jackson, Mississippi. Her cause of death is yet to be announced.
Torre's statement read: "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.
"Her family and close friends respectfully ask for privacy during this difficult time as they grieve her loss," it concluded. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Wilson began playing the piano at age six before moving on to the guitar at 12.
She moved to New York City in the early 1980s, where she met saxophonist Coleman and founded M-Base, a collective of musicians that also included Geri Allen and Osby. Wilson released her debut solo album, Point of View, in 1986 and followed with a string of projects before signing to Blue Note Records for 1993's Blue Light 'Till Dawn.
The chart-topper's album was celebrated at the time for her blend of blues, jazz and pop, but also considered controversial in the jazz world for skirting more traditional jazz conventions. Throughout her career, Wilson was a relatively prolific jazz musician with an emotive contralto who incorporated elements of blues and funk into her songwriting.
The hitmaker won two Grammys at the height of her fame: an award for best jazz vocal performance in 1997 with New Moon Daughter and best jazz vocal album in 2009 with Loverly, which featured collaborations with Steve Coleman, the Roots, Wynton Marsalis and Greg Osby.
In 2001, Time magazine declared her America's Best Singer. Over the years, she continued to record and release music and covers of songs from Neil Young, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan.
She collaborated with numerous artists across various genres, including Luther Vandross, Angelique Kidjo, Terrence Blanchard and Olu Dara. She recently released her final solo album, Coming Forth by Day, in 2015 as a homage to Billie Holiday.