R&B Vocalist, Jesse Powell, Dead at 51

               © Facebook/ Jesse Powell 

Jesse Powell, the Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist with a four-octave range best known for his hit "You" — that peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (No. 2 R&B) in 1999 — has died according to a statement from his family. He was 51.

Jesse's sister Tamara, who along with his other younger sister Trina comprised the popular 1990s R&B group Trina & Tamara, took to Instagram early Wednesday morning to share the news.

She wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, and uncle Jesse Powell.

"He passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home. The family asks for privacy at this time as we mourn this tremendous loss and celebrate his everlasting legacy.

"Jesse loved music and he especially loved his fans who supported him throughout his career. We want you all to know that you meant the world to him. – The Powell Family."

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A post shared by Tamara Powell (@tamara_powell)

No cause was given for the death which came just two days after his birthday.

The Gary, Indiana, native matriculated from a musical family and grew up performing with his mother and three siblings at talent shows in the family group Sheer Joy.

Powell got his big break when Louis Silas, Jr., founder of MCA imprint Silas Records, signed him shortly after hearing him sing at an artist showcase in Los Angeles.

He released four studio albums during his career.

His eponymously named debut in 1996 was a moderate success peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard R&B chart. Powell's second album 1989's “'Bout It," thanks to the success of the single "You," a ballad also featured on his first album was certified gold.

The singer followed those releases with "JP" in 2001 and "Jesse" in 2003 before seemingly retiring from music.

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Legendary Jazz Pianist and Pop Star, Ramsey Lewis, Dies at 87

KPLU Radio, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A piano prodigy who transcended his work as one of America's finest jazz musicians to become a pop star, Ramsey Lewis, has died.

According to his son, Bobby Lewis, the three-time Grammy Award winner died peacefully in his sleep Monday night at his Chicago home. He was 87.

“Most people say when they met dad that he was a class act," Lewis told The Associated Press of his father's passing. "He was that way even through his last breath.”

A Chicago native, the elder Lewis began playing piano at four. He found jazz and popular music success in the 1960s with his acclaimed Ramsey Lewis Trio, thanks to hits like "The 'In' Crowd," “Hang on Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.”

The three records' fusion of gospel, R&B and rock —spurred on by Lewis' play on the piano made them million-plus sellers and they account for three of his seven gold records.

"Jazz would not exist had it not been for gospel music, the blues would not exist had it not been for spiritual blues. #Jazz now is played by various cultures and colors around the world. The stimulus is One Voice." #RIP @NEAarts #JazzMaster #RamseyLewis pic.twitter.com/18B1pM8bcO

— JazzCorner (@jazzcorner) September 12, 2022

"The 'In' Crowd," an instrumental cover of Dobie Gray's R&B hit from 1964, was the group's most popular effort. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965 and No. 2 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart.

Ramsey Lewis was one of the leaders of the jazz-funk movement. Here's Ramsey and his band on Soul Train performing 1975's "Don't It Feel Good." https://t.co/PWyaXdpRuj

— The Black Music Project (@WeAreTBMP) September 13, 2022

Throughout a career that spanned six decades, Lewis toured around the world, released more than 80 albums, performed with titans of music like Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett and played for heads of state.

Following the news of his death several friends, fans and contemporaries took to the internet to mourn his passing.

1) @RamseyLewis, from Chicago’s West Side & one of the greatest musicians of all time, has died. For more than 40 years, we were neighbors. Our children grew up together. He first hired #MauriceWhite to be his drummer before his #EWF fame. He had a kinship with musicians. pic.twitter.com/euI2iuFY0Z

— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) September 12, 2022

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson wrote on Twitter, "RamseyLewis, from Chicago’s West Side & one of the greatest musicians of all time, has died. For more than 40 years, we were neighbors. Our children grew up together."

Jackson added, "He had a kinship with musicians."

Watch: Halle Bailey as Ariel in First Teaser for Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' Movie

Over the weekend the world finally got a sneak peek at Disney’s controversial live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” starring Black R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel.

A teaser trailer for the adaptation of the animated Disney classic was released Friday at Disney's D23 expo and already has more than 104 million (more than those of any other tease for a live action Disney adaption) views globally according to reporting from Variety.

Racists losing their minds because Halle Bailey is the new Little Mermaid.
Bro it's only the top half and guess what? Mermaids aren't real 😂😂🤷🏾‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/FfMcZDnakP

— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) September 12, 2022

It has also drawn praise from celebrities, parents and the original voice cast for Bailey —who has faced criticism of "blackwashing" since taking on the iconic role of the fictional red-headed mermaid who dreams of a life above the waves.

Jodi Benson (Voice of Ariel from 1988) shows love to Halle Bailey via ig story 💕🧜🏽‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/iEgE8XpGKA

— Cxh Center ™ (@CxhCenter) September 11, 2022

Following the premiere, Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film praised Bailey on Instagram writing, "Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I'm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel."

The 60-year-old actress added that she had a great time celebrating the achievement with Bailey, 22, at D23 and shared some words of adulation for the film's director Rob Marshall as well.

She added, "Thank you for creating such a stunning film!!!"

The clip gives fans a brief look at the underwater world Marshall has created for the film and Bailey in action as Ariel — red hair and all — as she hits the beginning notes to bring to "Part of Your World."

Watch the teaser below: