Jon Lucien

Jon Lucien

Jon Lucien
Background information
Birth name Lucien Harrigan
Born January 8, 1942
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Died August 14, 2007 (aged 65)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
Genres Soul, Funk
Occupation(s) Vocalist, Musician
Years active 1970–2007
Labels RCA, Columbia, Precision, Mercury, Shanachie, Love Arts, Camden Deluxe, Sugar Apple Music
Website http://www.jonlucien.com/

Jon Lucien (January 8, 1942 – August 18, 2007) was a vocalist and musician, born on the island of Tortola, the main island of the British Virgin Islands. Born Lucien Harrigan, and raised in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands by his musician father, Lucien was best known for his song "Rashida", the title track of an album released in 1973, and one of two Grammy nominated songs on that album. He was also well known for his cover of "Dindi" by Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. His smooth baritone drew comparisons with Nat King Cole and Lou Rawls. He was often heard on traditional jazz stations in the United States such as WJZZ in Detroit, Michigan (now WDMK).

Career

In the mid-1960s he relocated to New York City, where he began his musical career. One of his early inspirations was Nat King Cole. His debut album, entitled I Am Now, was released in 1970. 1973 saw the release of Rashida, containing the popular ballads "Would You Believe In Me", "Lady Love" and the title track.

For the follow-up, Lucien collaborated with veteran producer Dave Grusin on the release Mind’s Eye in 1974. This album contained the tunes "Listen Love" and "World of Joy". The following year, he moved to the CBS label for his fourth album release, Song For My Lady, which was followed in 1976 by Premonition for the same label. Only one release spanned the years between the mid-1970s and 1990, the album Romantico, recorded in 1982 for the Precision label.

After a lengthy absence, Lucien returned in 1991 with Listen Love, a collection that was very much like what he had done at his peak in the 1970s. Further releases included Mother Nature’s Son (1993) and Precious (1999).

Lucien's 17-year-old daughter Dalila along with her aunt Ana Marie Shorter, wife of jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter, were killed when N93119, the Boeing 747 airliner on TWA Flight 800 carrying 230 passengers bound for Paris, France, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Island, New York, shortly after take-off from John F. Kennedy International Airport on July 17, 1996. That month, Lucien went into the studio and began recording Endless Is Love. Seeking solace in the studio, he reflected: "My daughter doesn’t want me sitting around being unhappy. I look at her and we communicate. We make music. The music is a special force."

A "Best Of" compilation of his earlier work was released in 2001.

Jon Lucien died in Orlando, Florida, on 18 August 2007, from respiratory failure and other complications following surgery at the age of 65.

Discography

The following titles were released on Jon Lucien's own label, Sugar Apple Music:

A new release entitled The Wayfarer, Songs of Praise is expected soon on the same Sugar Apple Music label.

Quote

"The record company was attempting to package me as a sort of 'black Sinatra'. Once the white women started to swoon at my performances, their attitudes quickly changed."[1]

References

  1. ↑ Sisario, Ben (August 22, 2007). "Jon Lucien, Smooth Singer of Mellow Jazz and Soul, Dies at 65". The New York Times. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  • Bernstein, Adam (August 22, 2007). "Jazz Balladeer Jon Lucien; A Forerunner of Fusion". The Washington Post.

External links

Additional reading