Abbey Lincoln (August 6, 1930 – August 14, 2010), born as Anna Marie Wooldridge, was a distinguished American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress known for her profound and emotive voice and her ability to inhabit each song with a unique blend of passion and intelligence. Over her extensive career, which spanned several decades, Lincoln became known not just for her musical prowess but also for her civil rights activism, often working alongside other prominent figures of the time like her then-husband, the drummer Max Roach.

Her body of work includes a wide range of recordings that showcase her evolution as an artist, from powerful renditions of standards to her own compelling compositions. Highlights of her discography include "Abbey Lincoln's Affair – A Story of a Girl in Love" (1956) and "Straight Ahead" (1961), featuring contributions from jazz legends such as Max Roach, Eric Dolphy, and Coleman Hawkins. Lincoln's ability to weave storytelling with a strong sense of character and social consciousness made albums like "We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now Suite" (1960) milestones in the history of jazz. Later works like "Abbey Sings Abbey" (2007) and "It's Me" (2003) reaffirm her standing as a timeless and innovative artist – one who used her music as a means of personal expression and political statement. Abbey Lincoln remains an enduring figure in jazz, celebrated for her authenticity, her command of the American songbook, and her commitment to artistic and social integrity.

Genres

Contemporary Vocal Jazz

Vocal Jazz

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Latest Release

Love

Abbey Lincoln

Album - 8 Tracks - Released July 12, 2024