Jazz and R&B singer Marlena Shaw, known for the widely sampled “California Soul,” died Friday. She was 81.
The jazz and R&B vocalist Marlena Shaw, whose “California Soul” has become a staple element of ads and hip-hop songs, has died. She was 81.
Shaw’s daughter, Marla Bradshaw, announced the legendary singer’s death in a Facebook video posted Friday.
“It is with a very heavy heart that for myself and my family, I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist, Marlena Shaw, has passed away today at 12:03. She was peaceful; we were at peace,” Bradshaw said in the video.
“I know that you just saw posts of [a] birthday celebration just as soon as yesterday. And my twin sister and I were very grateful, and our family, that she was here in celebration for that. Obviously, I’m not going to go into too many details, but [to] her fans … she is at peace. She is in Heaven. I do know that.
