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Jazz Singer Jon Lucien Dies ...
Soulful Jazz Singer Jon Lucien Dies AP Posted: 2007-08-22 08:07:57 POINCIANA, Fla. (Aug. 22) - Singer Jon Lucien, whose deep baritone and soulful love songs made him a respected jazz artist for more than 35 years, has died, his wife said. He was 65. Lucien died Saturday from respiratory complications after surgery, his wife, Delesa, said Tuesday from her home in Poinciana. Born in the British Virgin Islands' main island of Tortola and raised in St. Thomas, Lucien began performing in his teens. His 1970 RCA album, "I Am Now," launched a recording career that earned him a loyal following, though his hard-to-categorize style never lead to breakout success. Among his songs were "Rashida," "Lady Love," "Dindi," "You Don't Need Me," "Hello Like Before," and "Sweet Control." His recordings of "Rashida" and "Lady Love" garnered Grammy nominations for arranger Dave Grusin in 1974 in the category of best arrangement accompanying vocalist(s). In 1979, critic Leonard Feather praised Lucien in the Los Angeles Times for his "resonant baritone, assured timber and phrasing, the West Indian piquancy of his announcements. Contemporary material works better for him than standards." In 1978, he contributed a vocal track to Weather Report's album "Mr. Gone." "All the musical world knows about Jon Lucien," his widow said. Drummer Kim Plainfield, who played with Lucien for 19 years, recalled him as "a consummate musician. He wasn't just a singer. He played multiple instruments live and in the studio. He was also a prolific composer." But Plainfield said Lucien never made it big because he couldn't be classified in a genre. Lucien's 17-year-old daughter, Dalila, was among the 230 people killed in the crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island in July 1996. He sought solace in the studio and recorded the album "Endless is Love," which was released in 1997. In recent years, he performed live with a jazz fusion group at local venues and jazz festivals around the nation and managed his own record label, Sugar Apple Music. He is survived by his wife, two sons, an adopted daughter and a stepson. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. ... [Edited 8/23/07 8:56am] " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
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I got this announcement yesterday from one of my friends at WCLK here in Atlanta...another tribute to his work:
Jon Lucien January 8, 1942 - August 18, 2007 "I would say my sound is a romantic sound...it's water...it's ocean...it's tranquility." Jon Lucien On August 18, 2007, Jon Lucien succumbed to respiratory failure and other complications in Florida where he had been residing for the last few years. By his side were his wife Delesa and his daughter Celesa. More than any other singer, Jon Lucien captured the essence of romance. His voice was rich and expressive, his best songs were perceptive poetic tales of devotion, trust, hope, harmony and spirituality. Three dimensional parables of love lost and love found and relationships filled with the promise of a new day. He seemed to possess an innate ability to evoke an atmosphere and create images not only through his lyrics but the colors of his music. Born in Tortola, Jon began performing professionally at 17 in the Virgin Islands. In 1970 he released his first recording in the United States, "I Am Now" on RCA. In the 37 years since the release of his debut album, connoisseurs and assorted in-the-know types have spoken his name with the utmost hushed reverence. His seamless melding of jazz, R&B, Caribbean rhythms and Brazilian music proved to be a decisive early influence on what would be simplified and marketed as the twin formats of "quiet storm" and "smooth jazz," although very few artists working in either format approach Lucien's level of artistry or innovation, not to mention originality. Jon Lucien is survived by his wife Delesa, daughter Celesa, son Hanis Lucien, step son Mark and grandchildren. For a complete biography or to listen to Jon's music, please go to www.jonlucien.com. His CDs are available through www.jazzcares.com. Memorial plans will be announced soon. A book of Jon's lyrics will be published in the near future.  "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive."
Dalai Lama | |
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WHAT?!  I am so sorry to hear this. I didn't know he was ill.  Been gone for a minute, now I'm back with the jump off | |
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