It's with an incredibly heavy heart that we share, Sharon Lafaye Jones has passed away at the age of 60, after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loved ones, including the Dap-Kings. "I just keep thinking what an incredibly passionate and generous woman she is," shared DJ Cheryl Waters. "What an amazing human being. Performing up until the end, and always thinking of others and giving from her heart."
Since 2002's debut Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, her music has been in constant rotation on our airwaves. Most recently, back in April 2016, Sharon performed at KEXP's New Home Grand Opening. DJ Kevin Cole reflects, "Sharon was such a beautiful soul. She was sick around the time she played our Grand Opening but wanted to do it -- she wanted to be a part of such an important event for us, and to give back to KEXP, which she did many times, playing on-air, VIP shows for donors, and our Grand Opening. She was deeply appreciative of all the support we had given her, and felt like she was a part of our family. She was. Thank you, Sharon Jones, for all the joy you brought us."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations: The Lustgarten Foundation, James Brown Family Foundation, and Little Kids Rock.
After four years of silence, UK trio The xx are full-speed ahead, sharing a new track earlier this month, announcing a new album, and over the weekend, appearing as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Watch the group perform the Hall & Oates-sampling single "On Hold" below, featuring som…
On Away, his eighth album with Okkervil River, Will Sheff winds back to the spacious sounds of his early records while visiting more mature topics of death, dissolution and rebirth. During his latest visit to KEXP, the Austin-based troubadour brings a full band to further enliven his new songs and …
Durham, NC duo Sylvan Esso (aka Mountain Man’s Amelia Meath and Megafaun’s Nick Sanborn) share a fun new track today, "Kick Jump Twist," the b-side to "Radio" which came out earlier this year. As the title implies, it's a fun, energetic single -- check it out below. Both tracks are out today on a …
Check out some of the KEXP DJ’s favorite artists from the Pacific Northwest and around the world on-the-go. KEXP’s Music That Matters weekly podcast brings you an exclusive mix of new music from the world’s best independent artists.
