366Art | Abbey Lincoln

Today, August 6th, is the birthday of Abbey Lincoln. An American jazz singer, songwriter, and actress. The edit above and her portrait on the musical birthday calendar/reference book below are made by me, Frieke.

Abbey Lincoln was born Anna Marie Wooldridge on August 6, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away on August 14, 2010. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to the world of jazz and the civil rights movement.

Lincoln began her singing career in the 1950s. Initially influenced by Billie Holiday, this was evident in her early work. She stood out for her unique vocal style with emotional depth and collaborated with jazz greats such as Sonny Rollins, Benny Carter, and Stan Getz. In the early 1960s, Lincoln aligned herself with the Black Power Movement. Her first musical contributions to this movement can be found on the album We insist! Freedom now. This album addresses the history of the African American community in the United States. She worked on this album with her future partner Max Roach and other musicians such as Booker Little and Coleman Hawkins. This album was a powerful musical statement for civil rights and freedom.

Throughout her career, Abbey Lincoln released numerous albums, showcasing a wide range of styles, including traditional jazz, blues, and soul. Some of her notable albums include: It's Magic (1958), Abbey Is Blue (1959), Straight Ahead (1961), The World Is Falling Down (1990), You Gotta Pay the Band (1991), Devil's Got Your Tongue  and (1992) A Turtle's Dream (1995)

In addition to her musical career, Abbey Lincoln also had a remarkable acting career. She appeared in films such as The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and For Love of Ivy (1968), in which she starred alongside Sidney Poitier and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

Lincoln remained active in the music world until her death and was regularly found at the Blue Note in New York. She passed away on August 14, 2010, but her legacy lives on in the music and the stories she told through it. She used her music as a platform to address social and political issues. Her dedication to social justice and her authentic, heartfelt performances made her an important figure in the civil rights movement and an icon in the jazz world.