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Gloria Lynne first achieved national acclaim by appearing on a Harry Belafonte TV special in 1966.
New York-born jazz vocalist Gloria Lynne, known for her graceful phrasing and resonant tone, has died.
The singer, most celebrated for the warming ballad “I Wish You Love,” succumbed to a heart attack Tuesday night at Columbus Rehabilitation Center in Newark.
Born in 1929, Lynne started singing in church and got an early break by winning first prize at the Apollo Theater’s legendary amateur concert at age 15.
Lynne first came to national attention by appearing on Harry Belafonte’s “Strolling ‘20s” TV special in 1966. It featured her erudite performance along with ones by stars from Duke Ellington to Sammy Davis Jr.
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Gloria Lynne shared bills with some of the giants of rhythm and blues, jazz and pop over her singing career.
In nightclubs around the country, she appeared on bills with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Johnny Mathis.
Though Lynne had several hits in the early ‘60s, and cut scores of albums from the ’50s right up through 2007, she never saw much financial reward from her recordings. That threw her focus onto live performances, which she gave up through this past August, at 54 Below in New York.
As a writer, Lynne penned the words for Herbie Hancock’s classic piece “Watermelon Man,” and “All Day Long” for Kenny Burrell.
She won the International Women in Jazz Award as well as a special prize for “Outstanding Achievement in Jazz” at the New York MAC Awards.
Funeral plans are being finalized.
jfarber@nydailynews.com
