Abbey Lincoln, Champion Of The Civil Rights Movement – A Tribute

Abbey-Lincoln - Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Political Activist. Click to enlarge.

Abbey Lincoln was an extraordinary jazz singer whose musical knowledge and method equipped her to work with some of the greatest jazz musicians of her time. Born Anna Marie Wooldridge in Chicago on the 6 August 1930 she started her music career in 1956. Her debut album was entitled ‘Abbey Lincoln’s Affair – A Story of a Girl in Love’.

She quickly established herself as country’s one of the most impressive jazz singers with her emotionally complex and passionate delivery. Her last album was released in 2007 – her career spanned six decades.

In 1957, Abbey Lincoln’s life changed when she began to dedicate it to righting the wrongs that American society inflicted on black people. She established herself as a pioneering advocate of civil rights and recorded the album titled ‘We Insist!- Freedom Now Suite’ that officially connected her to the political battle against racism.

Abbey Lincoln, singer, songwriter and political activist died in New York on 14 August 2010 aged 80.