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Shirley Witherspoon was a jazz vocalist with a heavy gospel influence, who was often compared to blues shouter Etta James and jazz legend Dinah Washington. Her first big break came as a vocalist with Duke Ellington in 1969. Although the engagement was brief, it did include some memorable moments, including a performance at the inauguration of President Nixon. She spent the '70s in Los Angeles, but returned to her home of Minneapolis, MN, in the '80s, building a strong following and reputation through her own local showcases and tributes to Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith. She eventually recorded two albums of jazz standards, Where Do I Sign? in 1994 and Magic & Love in 1999. Health problems began to take their toll on the singer in the '00s, and she died of heart failure on June 12, 2003. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide
