Marlena Shaw, the jazz and R&B vocalist known for her hit “California Soul,” has died at the age of 81.
Shaw’s daughter, Marla Bradshaw, confirmed her mother’s passing on Facebook, expressing her sorrow and noting that Marlena Shaw departed peacefully while listening to her favorite music.
Shaw, who had a versatile singing style, gained fame with her rendition of “California Soul,” a song written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson of Motown. Her version of the track, featured on her 1969 album “The Spice of Life,” became an iconic soul classic and was widely appreciated by music enthusiasts.
Shaw, born Marlina Burgess in New Rochelle, New York, on September 22, 1942, began her career performing at jazz clubs before signing with Chess Records in the late 1960s. Throughout her career, she released 17 albums and toured for over 50 years, making a lasting impact on the music industry.
SOURCE: euronews.com
