Abbey Lincoln was 40 years old before she composed her first song, and is one of the few notable female jazz vocalists who also proved her worth as a songwriter and composer, defying the conventions of the typical American Jazz standard.
On the surface her words often appear simple, but her lyrics read as social commentary and autobiography, her songs, rich in metaphor and philosophical reflection establishing her as a role model for many of today's vocalists.
“I learned a lot about taking a different path from Abbey,” the singer Cassandra Wilson said. “Investing your lyrics with what your life is about in the moment.”she has carved a niche as a singer, songwriter, and storyteller for over 40 years.
The Lyrics and Compositions of Abbey Lincoln