*Marlena Shaw, the incredibly gifted singer whose biggest string of hits came in the 60s, 70s, and 80s has passed away. Shaw, known for her sassy, sophisticated approach to jazz and R&B/Soul, was 81.
Marlena’s daughter Marla Bradshaw shared the news in a video posted on social media. The cause of the singer’s death, which occurred Friday, January 19, however, was not revealed.
“It’s with a very heavy heart that for myself and my family I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist Marlena Shaw has passed away today at 12:03,” Bradshaw said. “She was peaceful. We were at peace. … She went listening to some of her favorite songs.”
“I just want to thank you all for being on her page. Thank you for being a part of her life. Especially these last three years, which made her very happy,” she added.
Above, Marla Bradshaw, Marlena Shaw’s daughter announces her mother’s passing.
Born on Sept. 22, 1939, in New Rochelle, New York, Shaw began her music career in the 1960s and went on to influence several musical genres, including jazz, soul, disco and R&B. In total, the vocalist released 17 albums with eight different record labels throughout her career.
Two of Shaw’s biggest hits are our two favorites by her. Of course, we’re referring to her hits, “California Soul” and “Go Away Little Boy.”
Marlena Shaw was first introduced to music by her uncle Jimmy Burgess, a jazz trumpet player. In an interview with The New York Times, she told the reporter: “He [Jimmy Burgess] introduced me to good music through records – Dizzy [Gillespie], Miles [Davis], a lot of gospel things, and Al Hibbler, who really knows how to phrase a song.” In 1952, Burgess brought her on stage at the Apollo Theater in Harlem to sing with his band. Shaw’s mother did not want Marlena to go on tour with her uncle at such a young age. Shaw enrolled in the New York State Teachers College in Potsdam (now known as the State University of New York at Potsdam) to study music but she later dropped out.
Read/learn MORE at the Marlena Shaw page on Wikipedia.
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