Saying Goodbye to Soul Singer Sharon Jones

Former Tilden Houses Resident (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016)

Former Tilden Houses Resident (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016)

Soul singer Sharon Jones’ success was a lesson in holding fast to your dreams: singing was her passion but not her day job until she got her break at age 40. Ms. Jones, who grew up in Tilden Houses, went on to record eight albums and toured the world with her Grammy-nominated band, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. She died from pancreatic cancer on November 18, 2016 at the age of 60.

In 2013, Ms. Jones spoke to journalist Rico Washington about how her mother raised six children at the Brooklyn development as part of the “We The People: The Citizens of NYCHA in Pictures + Words” project with photographer Shino Yanagawa. The project featured interviews and photos of former and current NYCHA residents to challenge stereotypes of public housing.

Before her success, Ms. Jones worked as a corrections officer on Rikers Island, an armored car guard for Wells Fargo, and as a member of an Italian wedding band. Once success hit, she and the Dap Kings kept music lovers moving, with albums including the Grammy-nominated Give the People What They Want, 100 Days, 100 Nights, and Dap Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. In 2016, the band toured with legendary artists Hall & Oates. A documentary, Miss Sharon Jones! by Academy Award-winning film maker Barbara Kopple, was released last summer. Ms. Jones will be remembered by fans around the world for her soulful voice, dynamic stage presence, and determination in the pursuit of her dreams.