Singer-Songwriter Larysa Jaye Passes

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Larysa Jaye.

Genre-defying artist Larysa Jaye passed away on Dec. 8 in a car accident. She had just celebrated her 40th birthday.

A graduate of The Academy of Country Music’s OnRamp Program and a current member of The Recording Academy, The Black Music Action Coalition and the Black Opry, Jaye established herself in Nashville over the span of her career after moving to Music City from her hometown of Kansas City, Kansas.

She was known for breaking barriers to secure spots on writer’s rounds across the city. Jaye held a weekly residency at Justin Timberlake’s 12/30 club, making her one of the only Black women with a residency on Broadway. She also was heard by travelers at the BNA airport at several different restaurant spaces, and recently performed for her largest crowd yet of over 30,000 people while opening for Nashville’s Major League Soccer team game. Additionally, she held the role of Music Director and the character of Balthazar for the Summer Shakespeare series in Nashville and Franklin.

Her musical collaborations include lending her voice to Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey and Carrie Underwood, as well as working with Kevin Max. She was also named to The National Museum of African American Music’s Emerging Artist program. Jaye has been awarded The Key to the City of Sikeston, Missouri for her community philanthropy, as well as multiple Nashville Independent Spirit Award nominations.

She is survived by her four children, Sydney, Kadyn, Kingston and Shakira, her parents Wendell and Sharon Hamilton and three brothers, Carlos, Wendell Jr. and Nathan.

Memorial services announcement are forthcoming. Updates for visitation, and the opportunity to donate to Larya’s Memorial Fund can be found here.
Madison Hahnen
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