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Anna Marie Wooldridge (August 6, 1930 – August 14, 2010), better known by her stage name Abbey Lincoln, was a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress. Lincoln was unusual in that she wrote and performed her own compositions, expanding the expectations of jazz audiences. Lincoln was one of many singers influenced by Billie Holiday. She often could be found at the Blue Note in New York City. Her debut album ''Abbey Lincoln's Affair – A Story of a Girl in Love was followed by a series of albums for Riverside Records. In 1960 she sang on Max Roach's landmark civil rights-themed recording,... MORE

Anna Marie Wooldridge (August 6, 1930 – August 14, 2010), better known by her stage name Abbey Lincoln, was a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actress. Lincoln was unusual in that she wrote and performed her own compositions, expanding the expectations of jazz audiences. Lincoln was one of many singers influenced by Billie Holiday. She often could be found at the Blue Note in New York City. Her debut album ''Abbey Lincoln's Affair – A Story of a Girl in Love was followed by a series of albums for Riverside Records. In 1960 she sang on Max Roach's landmark civil rights-themed recording, We Insist! – Freedom Now Suite. Lincoln's lyrics were often connected to the civil rights movement in America. During the 1980s, Lincoln's creative output was lesser; she releases only a few albums during that decade. During 1990s until her death, however, she fulfilled a 10-album contract with Verve Records. These albums are highly regarded and represent a crowning achievement in Lincoln's career. Devil's Got Your Tongue (1992) featured Rodney Kendrick, Grady Tate, J. J. Johnson, Stanley Turrentine, Babatunde Olatunji and The Staple Singers, among others. In 2003, she received the National Endowment LESS