Remembering Cassandra Wilson's Legacy

Cassandra Wilson, the defining jazz vocalist of her generation, passes away at 70

Cassandra Wilson, the most gifted singer of her generation, passed away at the age of 70. Wilson, who made her San Diego concert debut in 1994 at the Horton Grand Hotel, was a key influence on a generation of standout singer-songwriters, including Norah Jones, Lizz Wright, India.Arie, Rhiannon Giddens and Cécile McLorin-Salvant. Her 1995 Blue Note Records album, "New Moon Daughter," was produced by Craig Street and influenced by Wilson's ability to transform songs by other artists into something exceptional and unique. Wilson's best albums were "Blue Light ‘Til Dawn," which was my favorite album released that year and I bought nearly a dozen copies as holiday gifts.