(July 24, 2022) Jean Carne is just fine, thank you. The all-time great singer was the subject of some internet confusion this weekend, with several posts indicating that she had passed. But today she and her closest friends quelled the rumors -- which were possible triggered the by the passing this week of her former "Valentine Love" duet partner Michael Henderson.
(July 24, 2022) Jean Carne is just fine, thank you. The all-time great singer was the subject of some internet confusion this weekend, with several posts indicating that she had passed. But today she and her closest friends quelled the rumors -- which were possible triggered the by the passing this week of her former "Valentine Love" duet partner Michael Henderson.
Singer Melba Moore stopped the rumor in its tracks this afternoon, posting "Don't believe everything you hear on Facebook or Instagram. I just got off the phone with Jean. Take those rumor's down right now. There is nothing wrong with her. Love Melba Forever Moore." That was seconded by Vanessa Jordan, CEO & President at The National R&B Music Society, who also indicated she talked with Carne. Later, Carne herself found out about the rumor and posted on Facebook "God is Good, and I'm alive and well."
A source tells us that the mistake may have been made by a reporter who saw the name of Carne's latest release, the 2022 Jazz Is Dead, a project she recorded with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and took a bit of a leap after seeing the title.
A 1970s member of the legendary Philadelphia International Records label of Gamble & Huff, Carne was a marvel, hitting with such adult soul gems as “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head” and “My Love Don’t Come Easy.” A mid-80s switch to Omni Records continued that success and resulted in her signature song, the Grover Washington-produced chart-topping hit “Closer Than Close.” Carne also showed her interpretive skills on hit covers of “Let’s Stay Together,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” and “Ain’t No Way.”
In between her solo hits, Carne was also a favorite duet partner for many stars, most notably Michael Henderson (“Valentine Love”) and Al Johnson (“I’m Back For More”), as well as a frequent guest vocalist on contemporary jazz recordings.
Carne has continued to tour and record, sounding great even as she reached age 75 this past March. We continue to marvel at the great Jean Carne and look forward to hearing her whenever she sings. And we are particularly happy to hear that she's doing just fine.
By Chris Rizik