Marlena Shaw, 'California Soul' singer, dies at 81

Marlena Shaw, the legendary jazz and soul singer behind such hits as “California Soul” and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” has died at 81.

Her daughter, Marla Bradshaw, shared the news of her death in a Friday Facebook video, though the cause of death was not disclosed.

“It’s with a very heavy heart that for myself and my family I announce that our beloved mother, your beloved icon and artist Marlena Shaw has passed away today at 12:03,” Bradshaw said. “She was peaceful. We were at peace… She went listening to some of her favorite songs.”

She added, “I just want to thank you all for being on her page. Thank you for being a part of her life. Especially these last three years, which made her very happy.”

Born Marlina Burgess on Sep. 22, 1942, the singer began her music career after encouragement from her uncle Jimmy Burgess, a jazz trumpet player. She first took to the stage in 1952 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, where her uncle invited her up to sing with his band. From there, Shaw performed in jazz clubs big and small, with her career taking off after she landed a gig at a Playboy Club in Chicago.

Shaw was in her early 20s when she signed with Chess Records. There she released two albums, 1967’s Out of Different Bags and 1969’s The Spice of Life, with the latter featuring two of her biggest hits, “California Soul” and “Woman of the Ghetto.” 

She moved to the more jazz-oriented Blue Note Records in 1972, where she released her self-titled third studio album, Marlena. Shaw would continue moving studios and throughout her career, eventually releasing 17 albums total with eight different record labels. 

“California Soul,” penned by Ashford & Simpson and first recorded by The Messengers, remains one of Shaw’s most recognizable tracks, often sampled by artists and licensed for use in several commercials. On the subject of having her music sampled, Shaw said in a 2009 interview, “I think it’s great. I really do. Number one, I love the surprise of it and like to hear what somebody else’s idea is.”

She added with a laugh, “But this kinda makes me feel like I’m the sun, you know, and I shine on all kinds of things.”

On Jan. 20, Verve Records, who worked with Shaw in 1987, shared a statement celebrating her life: “We are saddened by the passing of Marlena Shaw, a wonderful singer whose 'California Soul’ is as popular today as it ever was and whose album It Is Love: Recorded Live At Vine St. helped relaunch the Verve label in 1987.”

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