Renowned jazz and R&B singer Marlena Shaw passed away at the age of 81 on Friday, according to a Facebook post shared by her daughter.
In a video post, Marla Bradshaw, the daughter of the late Marlena Shaw, shared the heartbreaking news of her mother’s passing. With deep sorrow, she announced the loss of their beloved mother, an iconic artist.
The cause of death was not specified, however, Bradshaw mentioned that her mother passed away peacefully while listening to some of her favorite songs.
Nina Shaw, renowned for her chart-topping songs “California Soul” and “Woman of the Ghetto,” entered the world in 1942 in New Rochelle. At the tender age of 10, she graced the stage of Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater, leaving audiences in awe.
In the 1960s, she gained recognition after being discovered by Chess Records. Throughout her career, she released a total of 17 albums with eight different record labels.
Shaw achieved success with popular songs such as “Feel Like Making Love,” “Loving You Was Like A Party,” “Is You or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” and “Go Away Little Boy.”
In the midst of heightened racial tensions in the United States, Shaw’s music frequently centered around the experiences of Black women and the unwavering strength exhibited by the Black community. Verve Records expressed their condolences over the death of Marlena Shaw, with whom they collaborated in 1987.
In a recent Facebook post, the record label praised her exceptional talent as a singer, highlighting the enduring popularity of her hit song “California Soul” and the significant role her album “It Is Love: Recorded Live At Vine St.” played in revitalizing the Verve label back in 1987.
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