Marlena Shaw, renowned jazz and R&B singer recognized for her iconic song “California Soul”, passed away on Friday afternoon, 19, in the United States, aged 81. The announcement of his death was made by his daughter, Marla, in a video published on Facebook, without revealing the cause of death.
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Shaw began her career in the 1960s, performing in jazz clubs, until a performance in Chicago led to a record deal with Chess Records.
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His most notable success was “California Soul”, a composition by the duo Ashford & Simpson, which gained notoriety thanks to Shaw’s captivating voice. The song has been extensively sampled in the hip hop scene, being reused by artists such as Jay Rock and Elzhi, as well as appearing on film and television soundtracks.
In addition to “California Soul”, Marlena Shaw scored other memorable hits, including “Women Of The Ghetto”, “Liberation Conversation” and “Don’t Ask to Stay Until Tomorrow”, the latter part of the soundtrack for the film “In Search of Mr. Goodbar”, released in 1977.
