This edition of Vocal Jazz pays tribute to vocalist, guitarist and composer Cassandra Wilson, who died on 2 September 2026, at age 70.
She was born on 4 December 1955 in Jackson, Mississippi, into a musical family. Her father, Herman Fowlkes, was a jazz guitarist and bassist, while her mother was a fan of Motown. She acquired the surname Wilson through her marriage to Anthony Wilson, which lasted from 1982 to 1983, and kept the name after their divorce.
More than perhaps any other jazz vocalist, Cassandra Wilson was influenced by a wide range of musical styles: jazz, including Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln; blues, country, folk, pop, particularly Joni Mitchell, and avant-garde jazz.
In short, she was a vocalist who refused to be pigeonholed and was far ahead of her time. Her vocal style—low, throaty and slightly smoky—was unique, as were her phrasing and rhythmic sensibility.
Playlist
- Motherland Pulse 1985 Steve Coleman
No Good Time Fairies (Steve Coleman/ Cassandra wilson
Cassandra Wilson- vocals; Geri Allen – piano; Lonnie Plaxico – bass; Mark Johnson – drums; Steve Coleman – alto saxophone; Graham Haybes – trumpet - Point Of View 1986
I Wished On The Moon (Ralph Rainger / Dorothy Parker)
Jean-Paul Bourelly – guitar; Lonnie Plaxico – bass; Mark Johnson – drums; Grachan MoncurIII – trombone; Steve Coleman – alt saxophone - Blue Skies 1988
Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)
Mulgrew Miller – piano; Lonnie Plaxico – bass; Teri Lyne Carrington – drums - New Moon Daughter 1995
A Little Warm Death (Cassandra Wilson) original
Barndon Ross – guitar; Charlie Burnham – violin; Cyro Baptista, Jeff Haynes – percussion - Rendezvous 1997
Jacky Terrasson / Cassandra Wilson
Little Boy Lost (Michel Legrnad/ Marilyn & Alan Bergman) 5:06
My Ship (kurt Weill/ Ira Gershwin)
Jacky Terrasson – piano; Lonnie Plaxico – bass - Glamoured 2003
Fragile (Sting)
Heaven Knows (Cassandra Wilson)
Fabrizio Sottu – guitar; Reginald Veal – bass; Terri Lyne Carrington – drums; Jeff Haynes – percussion - Loverly 2008
Till There Was You (Meredith Wilson)
Dust My Broom (Elmore James / Elmore Johnson)
Jason Moran – piano; Marvin Sewell – guitar; Lonnie Plaxoco – bass; Hervin Riley – drums; Lekan Babalola – percussion - Coming Forth By Day 2015
The Way You Look Tonight (strings!)
Jon Cowherd – organ; Marvin P. Casey – bass; Kevin Brett – banjo; Robby Marshall – bass clarinet; Van Dyke Parks Orchestra – strings; Van Dyle Parks – arrangements, conductor
