In Loving Memory: Abbey Lincoln

She's So New York Mourns the passing of Jazz Great, Abbey Lincoln 

Born Anna Marie Wooldridge, Abbey held many titles as an actress, artist and composer. Her music ranged from the civil rights era recordings to the equally powerful jazz recordings of her later years.  She co-starred with Sidney Poitier in 1968's For Love of Ivy, in which she received a 1969  Golden Globe nomination for her appearance in the film. Abbey also played the role of young Bleek Gilliams' mother in the Spike Lee movie Mo' Better Blues, played by Denzel Washington. 

Abbey Lincoln believed that her voice could help  bridge the gap between politics and racism in the United States. In 1960, she sang on We Insist! - Freedom Now Suite by jazz musician Max Roach, whom she later married. It became a landmark jazz civil rights recording during that time. In 1993, she received the Jazz Masters Award, the nation's highest jazz honor.  Lincoln died at age 80 in Manhattan.