Wilson was nominated four times for Best Jazz Vocal Album. She won the award twice: first in 1997 for “New Moon Daughter,” and again in 2009 for “Loverly.”
Fellow Grammy-winning blues musician Bobby Rush said Wilson inspired countless artists and always remained connected to her Mississippi roots.
“We’re gonna miss her very much; everybody’s going to miss her. She was a big turning stone in my life, and people around her. She was a trailblazer,” said Rush.
Rush noted that Wilson never received the level of recognition he believes she deserved, but her determination to uplift others defined her career. “She didn’t want nobody to give up on themselves, because she didn’t give up on herself. She always was grasping to go higher in different places and make a difference.”
After returning to Jackson, Wilson opened a music club called The Yellow Scarf. The venue became a space where fans could hear their favorite musicians, discover new talent, and enjoy jazz classics.
Saxophonist and Jackson native Michael Burton said the club created invaluable opportunities for young musicians in the South. “That was just major for people in the city to have a place to play and also to have a place to rub shoulders with someone who was so major in the world of music.”
Burton said Wilson stood out for her singular sound and fearless individuality. “She didn’t sound like anybody else,” said Burton. “And I just think that’s a testament to Jackson and the state and the resilience of the people who are from there.”
Jackson-based singer-songwriter Tawanna Shaunte said Wilson became a mentor to her and many others. The two met in 2009, and Wilson later invited Shaunte to perform with her in New York City. “Cassandra was my musical mentor,” said Shaunte. “She really inspired me so much. I always say she challenged me and inspired me to be the artist that I’ve become now. She was a part of that musical journey.”
Reflecting on their time together, Shaunte said, “She listened, and she would allow us to just… be. And she said ‘you know it’s your music. Your craft. Be as creative as you would like.’ And I’m going to miss her so much.”
In a statement sent to WBGO, Wilson’s former manager asked for privacy for the family. Information about memorial services will be shared at a later time.
