Sheila Jordan, one of the great underappreciated voices in jazz, has died at the age of 96.

Her longtime bassist Harvie S told NPR that Jordan died Monday at her apartment in New York City.

Despite a career that unfolded in fits and starts due to racial tensions, a troubled marriage and the challenges of single motherhood, Jordan recorded one of the most beloved vocal jazz records of the 1960s, Portrait of Sheila on Blue Note Records, and was recognized 50 years later by the National Endowment of the Arts as a Jazz Master, the genre's highest honor.

Jordan's discography grew exponentially as she aged; she recorded at least 19 albums after the turn of the century, including this year's Portrait Now . It was released on the day of her final live performance: Valentine's Day.

Born She

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