Grammy Winning Jazz Singer Nancy Wilson Dies At 81

Famed jazz singer and Grammy Award winner Nancy Wilson, well known as a legendary vocalist and major figure during the Civil Rights era, passed away at her home in California on Thursday according to The New York Times. She was 81.

Ms. Wilson was globally recognized as a "song stylist" in multiple genres including  American standards, jazz ballads, Broadway show tunes, R&B and pop. Her long storied career spanned 5 decades beginning in the early 60's releasing 70 albums. Her biggest hit "(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am" reached #11 on the Billboard charts.

She won 3 Grammy Awards in her career including "Best R&B Recording" for the "How Glad I Am" album in 1964 and 2 for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" in 2005 and 2007. She was very popular on the jazz circuit touring and releasing albums for decades before retiring in 2011.

She is survived by her three children, Kacy Dennis, Sheryl Burton and Samantha Burton; two sisters, Karen Davis and Brenda Vann; and five grandchildren.