Abbey Lincoln was an American jazz singer, songwriter and actress from New York
who played with Stan Getz and The Staple Singers among others. Her singing is
often compared to that of Billie Holiday. She is probably best known for her
contribution to the American Civil Rights anthem 'We Insist! Freedom Now Suite'
written by her future husband Max Roach.
Born Anna Marie Wooldridge, she took the stage name Abbey Lincoln with reference
to President Abraham Lincoln and Westminster Abbey on the advice of her then
manager in 1956. During a 1972 tour of the African continent she was ...