Abbey Lincoln (1930-2010)
Abbey Lincoln by Jos L. Knaepen
Abbey Lincoln has died. Another of our great vocalists, activists, artists — gone.
More than a great jazz singer, Abbey Lincoln was a woman who stood up when it was time to stand. I remember being blown away by We Insist! (Freedom Now Suite) that she recorded with Max Roach and Oscar Brown, Jr. in 1960 to protest racism. That project made me tune into Abbey Lincoln differently than I had. I was excited about her visit to the 2005 National Black Arts Festival and the opportunity to finally meet her. Unfortunately, she didn’t make the trip and I never had the opportunity to see her perform live. Thankfully there are plenty of recordings, writings, digital interviews and You Tube Videos to ensure that her legacy lives and surround sound is kinda like live sometimes.
Rest In Peace Abbey Lincoln.
Wow! And how ironic is it that both Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln died around the same day (Max Roach August 16, 2007; Abbey Lincoln August 14, 2010) 3 years apart! I had the great privilege of being able to attend and assist at Max Roach’s funeral working under Terrie Williams. Abbey Lincoln was there along with several other jazz power houses and legends, honorable dignitaries and guests. That was truly an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. Max Roach’s spirit beamed all throughout that cathedral and poured out into the streets with his honored fans. May they both rest in peace.
Wow! And how ironic is it that both Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln died around the same day (Max Roach August 16, 2007; Abbey Lincoln August 14, 2010) 3 years apart! I had the great privilege of being able to attend and assist at Max Roach’s funeral working under Terrie Williams. Abbey Lincoln was there along with several other jazz power houses and legends, honorable dignitaries and guests. That was truly an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. Max Roach’s spirit beamed all throughout that cathedral and poured out into the streets with his honored fans. May they both rest in peace.