If you happen to be a fan of Jazz, than the name Abbey Lincoln likely means a lot to you.  Abbey who has a discography ranging over 50 years was known for the political tone of her songs.  The singer could be found in her later years singing at Blue Note in New York City.

Abbey Lincoln was pushed into the national spotlight with her 1960 collaboration with Max Roach, a jazz drummer. They produced the song, We Insist, which put her right in the middle of the soundtrack of the civil rights movement in the 60′s. Abbey not only was known for her singing, but also for her acting.  One of the movies she appeared in was For Love of Ivy, who she acted alongside Sidney Poitier.  In this movie she played a maid who has a mind of her own. In total she acted in 11 movies, and contributed to the soundtracks of several others.  Abbey will certainly be missed and go down as one of the more influential jazz singers in American History.