Larysa Jaye, a beloved Kansas singer-songwriter, died on Sunday, December 8, at the age of 40. She suffered a fatal car accident in Nashville, Tennessee. Her fans and colleagues mourn her death, highlighting her influence and her mark left on the Nashville music scene.
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The news was confirmed to The Tennessean by Jaye's publicist. At the same time, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) posted a photo of Larysa Jaye alongside a heartfelt description, announcing her death.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Country and Americana Artist Larysa Jaye," the NMAAM wrote. "Larysa was a friend of NMAAM and graced our space with her beautiful sound, spirit, and support on numerous occasions. We are sending prayers and support to her family and her four children."
There are no further details surrounding the nature of the car accident.
Remembering Larysa Jaye
Larysa's fans also took to social media to offer their condolences and share their heartbreak following her death. "Rest in heavenly peace beautiful soul. I didn't know you personally, but I know of your music, your style, your passion," one user wrote. "I'm heartbroken. You were one of the most amazing people I ever met," a second user wrote.
Described as the "only Black woman with an artist residency on Nashville's Lower Broadway" by her website's bio, Larysa Jaye, a mother of four, has an impressive career as a performer and as a musical director. A "Tina Turner with an acoustic guitar" or "Carrie Underwood meets Mary J. Blige," she received several award nominations with tunes such as "The Thoughts That Happen (The Mama Song)," "Birmingham," and "Just Like That," among others.
"Larysa Jaye is a performer of enormous talent, heart and spirit. Her music defies categorization, and no wonder; she drives that beautiful voice anywhere...authentically into almost any musical genre because she was steeped in all of them," Frist Art Museum Director of Communication Ellen Pryor said about her in her website.
Larysa Jaye is survived by her four children Sydney, Kadyn, Kingston, and Shakira, her parents, and her three brothers. Jaye's friend and publicist, David Hawkins, set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with her memorial expenses.
