{"id":12726,"date":"2026-09-03T08:48:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/03\/grammy-winning-jazz-artist-cassandra-wilson-dies-aged-70\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T08:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T07:48:00","slug":"grammy-winning-jazz-artist-cassandra-wilson-dies-aged-70","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/03\/grammy-winning-jazz-artist-cassandra-wilson-dies-aged-70\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammy-winning jazz artist Cassandra Wilson dies aged 70"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Grammy-winning jazz artist Cassandra Wilson has died aged 70.<\/p>\n

The Mississippi-born singer died in Jackson, MI on Tuesday morning (September 1). According to a statement from her manager to jazz radio station WBGO, Wilson died \u201cpeacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager\u201d.<\/p>\n

No cause of death was given.<\/p>\n

Tributes have poured in for the singer across social media, with singer Jill Scott writing: \u201cSoft warm sand. Deep purrs. Grand pourings. Passionate sincerity. Grace. Intensity. Wonderful Cassandra Wilson. Truly\u201d.<\/p>\n

On Instagram, Jools Holland commented the news was \u201cso sad to hear\u201d, adding: \u201cI send love and condolences to all her friends and family\u201d. Skin\u2019s Skunk Anansie also paid tribute to the singer, writing: \u201cSuch sad news, she was a wonderful singer, best wishes to her family & friends\u201d. Take a look at more tributes to the singer below:<\/p>\n

\n

Soft warm sand. Deep purrs. Grand pourings. Passionate sincerity. Grace. Intensity. Wonderful Cassandra Wilson. Truly pic.twitter.com\/W8e03f1iE0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2b50Jill Scott\u2b50 (@missjillscott) September 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Very saddened by the news that Cassandra Wilson has passed away. One of the most distinctive voices in modern jazz, Cassandra wove an alluring tapestry of jazz, blues, folk & R&B into a singular sound that opened up new avenues of expression for vocal jazz https:\/\/t.co\/3qQcy2FEit<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/C6rcKTjze1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Blue Note Records (@bluenoterecords) September 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\n

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Cassandra Wilson was born to Herman Fowlkes Jr. and Mary McDaniel. The youngest of three, Wilson was surrounded by Motown and jazz as a child, and would take classical piano lessons from age six.<\/p>\n

Learning the clarinet and performing in marching bands, her father guided her to self-teach herself guitar using Mel Bay method books. It was during this time where Wilson would begin to write her own folk songs.<\/p>\n

Going to Millsaps College and Jackson State University to study mass communications, Wilson played in a wide variety of bands, including R&B, funk, and pop cover bands. Eventually graduating, it was in New Orleans where Wilson began to pursue a career in jazz, where she was coached by the likes of Earl Turbinton, Alvin Batiste and Ellis Marsalis.<\/p>\n

Moving to New York, Wilson would found the M-Base collective alongside leader and alto saxophonist Steve Coleman. She would focus her improvisational singing during this time, and would go on to appear on a number of Coleman\u2019s albums.<\/p>\n

Wilson also released a number of her own solo albums, including her criticially acclaimed 1988 album \u2018Blue Skies\u2019, the Blue Note-released \u2018New Moon Daughter\u2019, which won her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 1997, and \u2018Loverly\u2019, which netted her another Grammy in 2007.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n