PUMANAW na si Annie Brazil, ang tinaguriang Queen of Jazz ng Pilipinas, sa edad na 85.

Kinumpirma ng kanyang anak na si Raffy Wolfe, ang balita sa pamamagitan ng Facebook post.

“Please join our family as we celebrate the life of our mother, the great Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil. Her remains lie at Premiere Suite-1, Loyola Memorial Chapel Guadalupe Makati. Viewing starts today at 12nn. Here’s to life!” post niya kahapon, March 6.

National

First Family nagbakasyon sa Suba Beach, Ilocos Norte sa Huwebes Santo

Ayon sa ilang report, ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ng singer cause of death ay “pneumonia arising from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

Nitong nakaraang buwan, ay nag-post ang isa pang anak ni Annie na si Rachel Anne Wolfe – na naninirahan sa New Jersey, USA – ng litrato niya kasama ang ina, na may caption na: “I miss you mommy. You are always in my prayers. There’s not one day that goes by that I don’t think about you. I’m glad that I was able to see you even if it was only for a week.

“My mom went back to Manila because she was getting lonely here in the States. After her first stroke in 2016 I did not think she would want to travel again. After 25 years of living with me and my family here in New Jersey, she wanted to go back to her roots. So here we are, she went back to celebrate her 84th birthday and the following month, Nov. 28, 2017, she had a massive stroke that had left her half paralyzed and bedridden. But she is tough as nails! Hang in there mom, I will be back soon! I love you so much #Philippinequeenofjazz #anniebrazil.”

Isinilang bilang si Justiniana Bulawin, hindi lang sa local scene namayagpag si Annie ngunit pati sa ibang bansa.

Siya ay inimbitahan ng Newport Jazz Festival founder na si George Wein noong 1969 para magtanghal sa musical spectacle sa New York, kung saan nagtanghal din sina Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Nina Simmons, at pop icons na The Bee Gees.

Nang kaparehas na taon, nakasama ni Annie sa entablado si Duke Ellington sa isang jazz concert sa Bangkok, Thailand, na pinagtanghalan din nina Lionel Hampton at Ellis Marsalis, ama ni Wynton Marsalis.

Nakatanggap din siya ng ilang recognitions, kabilang ang parangal mula sa Asian American Jazz Festival sa New York at lifetime achievement honors sa 20th Aliw Awards.