Jon Lucien

Lucien Leopold Harrigan (January 8, 1942 – August 18, 2007), known professionally as Jon Lucien, was a singer from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. His parents were Eric "Rico" Lucien Harrigan and Eloise Turnbull Harrigan of Tortolan families. His father was a musician whose main instrument was a three-coursed Latin guitar-like chordophone known as a Tres.[1]

Jon Lucien
Lucien in 1991
Lucien in 1991
Background information
Birth nameLucien Leopold Harrigan
Born(1942-01-08)January 8, 1942
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
DiedAugust 18, 2007(2007-08-18) (aged 65)
Orlando, Florida
GenresSoul, soul jazz, funk, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1960s–2000s
LabelsRCA, Columbia, Mercury, Shanachie, Sugar Apple Music
Websitejonlucien.com

Life and career

Born in Tortola in 1942, Lucien was raised in St. Thomas. As a teenager, he played bass in his father's band. During the 1960s he moved to New York City.[2] While performing at a party, he was discovered by an executive from RCA, which released his debut album (I Am Now, 1970) of pop and jazz standards.[2] Lucien said the label attempted to market him as a "black Sinatra". His second album, Rashida, contained only songs written by Lucien, with "Lady Love" receiving radio airplay.[2] Dave Grusin received a Grammy Award nomination for his arrangements.[2][3] He recorded two albums for Columbia before making guest appearances on Yesterday's Dreams by Alphonso Johnson and Mr. Gone by Weather Report.[2][4]

His daughter drowned in 1980, and he spent much of the decade struggling with drug addiction.[5] He returned to music with the albums Listen Love (Mercury, 1991) and Mother Nature's Son (Mercury, 1993).[2][4] Another daughter died in the crash of TWA Flight 800,[6] and Lucien dedicated his album Endless Love (1997) to her.[2]

He died of respiratory failure in Orlando, Florida, on August 18, 2007.[7]

Discography
  • I Am Now (RCA, 1970)
  • Rashida (RCA, 1973)
  • Mind's Eye (RCA, 1974)
  • Song for My Lady (Columbia, 1975)
  • Premonition (Columbia, 1976)
  • Romantico (Precision, 1980)
  • Inside Moves (Elektra,1984)
  • Listen Love (Mercury, 1991)
  • Mother Nature's Son (Mercury, 1993)
  • Endless Is Love (Shanachie, 1997)
  • By Request (Shanachie, 1999)
  • Precious Is Love (Love Arts, 1999)
  • Man from Paradise (Sugar Apple Music, 2002)
  • Live in NYC (Sugar Apple Music, 2003)
  • A Time for Love (Sugar Apple Music, 2004)
  • The Wayfarer (Sugar Apple Music, 2008)[4]

References
  1. Méndez-Méndez, Serafin; Mendez, Serafín Mendez; Cueto, Gail; Deynes, Neysa Rodríguez (2003). Notable Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans: A Biographical Dictionary. ISBN 9780313314438.
  2. Ankeny1, Jason. "Jon Lucien". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  3. "Soulful Jazz Singer Jon Lucien Dies". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. "Jon Lucien". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  5. "Obituary: Jon Lucien". the Guardian. 2007-10-03. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  6. "Jon Lucien, jazz singer: 65". thestar.com. 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  7. Sisario, Ben (2007-08-22). "Jon Lucien, Smooth Singer of Mellow Jazz and Soul, Dies at 65". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-22.

Further reading
  • Notable Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans: A Biographical Dictionary, by Serafín Méndez-Méndez and Gail A. Cueto. Greenwood Press, 2003. ISBN 0-313-31443-8
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