NEW YORK: Sharon Jones, a fiery Grammy-nominated soul and funk singer sometimes called the "female James Brown," has died after losing a battle to pancreatic cancer. Jones had battled cancer since 2013, a fight related in the documentary "Miss Sharon Jones!" That moment came in 1996, when at the age of 40 she was performing as backup singer at a recording session for soul singer Lee Fields. Known for her big voice and dynamic on-stage persona, Jones was often compared to the late "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, who she said was one of her idols. Born in Augusta, Georgia, on May 4, 1956, Sharon Lafaye Jones was the youngest of six children.

Source: Bangkok Post November 19, 2016 13:18 UTC