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Grammy Award-winning American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson died on Wednesday in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, her manager said. She was 70.

“Cassandra Wilson transitioned peacefully at home, surrounded by family, close friends, and her manager,” Robert Torre wrote in a statement, hailing her as a “legendary jazz artist.”

The statement did not disclose a cause of death. Wilson’s family and close friends asked for privacy, Torre said.

A singer-songwriter and producer, Wilson was celebrated for her rich, expressive contralto voice in a career spanning three decades.

In 1997, the singer received the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance with “New Moon Daughter,” and “Loverly” won the award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2009.

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Wilson performed in a leading role in “Blood on the Fields,” a 1997 oratorio by Wynton Marsalis which became the first jazz work to win a Pulitzer Prize.

She also collaborated with saxophonists Steve Coleman, Greg Osby and hip-hop group The Roots.

“I learned so much from her, and I am so sad she has passed away,” musician Jon Batiste wrote in a tribute on social media.

“She had an unmistakable vocal tone, phrasing, and her approach of weaving folkloric, R&B, and diasporic music together with experimental and popular genres had a major impact on me.

“She sounded like the South.”

AFP

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Organisers of The Headies have refuted allegations that gospel and inspirational musicians are excluded from the award’s major categories.

In a statement released on Monday via its official Instagram page, the organisers said the claim does not reflect the award’s history.

They cited previous winners such as Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo as gospel artistes who have won mainstream honours at The Headies.

The statement also noted that the Inspirational Single category was created to recognise songs that promote faith, hope and positive values.

The clarification followed an open letter from Afrogospel artiste Gaise Baba, who raised concerns about the treatment of gospel music at the awards.

Gaise Baba argued that songs should be judged on quality, sound and impact, rather than the message in the lyrics.

“A rap record is a rap record,” he wrote in part.

The singer further questioned whether commercially successful gospel songs like ‘Favour’ and his collaboration with Lawrence Oyor, ‘No Turning Back II’, receive the same consideration as mainstream Nigerian songs.

Gaise Baba also recalled his experience as a nominee, stating that the Inspirational Music category was not presented during the main ceremony at one edition.

He said nominees commit time and resources to the process and deserve proper recognition.

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Fifteen housemates have been put up for possible eviction in week six of Big Brother Naija Season 11.

The nominees are Chimsom Chuka, Flora, Aikou, Bells, Tram, Gerard, Oyin, Ricky, Barry, Temi Nkem, Araga, Yusuf, Nomy, Bluethopia and Keivo.

The list was confirmed during Monday’s nomination proceedings in the house.

Head of House Abi is immune from eviction this week following her win in the week six HOH challenge.

She also becomes a two-time HOH this season.

Also safe from eviction is Sheba, who emerged as the Most Influential Player for week five.

The title comes with immunity for the following week.

With Aikou and Flora’s gambit status now revoked, both housemates are eligible for nominations and eviction for the first time this season.