NEW YORK — A beautiful wave of choral music filled the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem as the city came together to honor the life of Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack. The beloved artist, known for her soulful and intimate style, passed away at the age of 88 last month. Her memorial service was a celebration of her life and legacy, with performances from renowned artists like Stevie Wonder and speeches from prominent figures like the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Flack captured the hearts of fans around the world with her emotional ballads, including “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song”. These timeless classics made her a global star in the 1970s and continued to resonate with audiences for decades. As the community gathered to remember her at her “Celebration of Life” memorial, her music once again filled the air, reminding everyone of the power of her voice and the impact she had on the world.
The Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the U.S., was a fitting location for Flack’s memorial. The historic church, founded in 1808, was adorned with beautiful white and yellow bouquets, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The ceremony was open to the public and the church quickly filled up as guests arrived to pay their respects. A screen at the center showed a young Flack playing the piano and highlighted moments from her illustrious career.
Flack’s early years were rooted in gospel music, with her mother serving as an organist at the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Church in Virginia. As a teenager, she joined the church choir and began accompanying them on the piano. This foundation in gospel music would later be evident in her soulful and powerful performances.
The program for her memorial featured a thought-provoking quote from Flack herself, reminding everyone to always walk in the light and never lose sight of it. Her words served as a beautiful tribute to her life and the impact she had on those who knew her.
The “Celebration of Life” was truly a celebration of Flack’s immense talent and her dedication to her art. As the service began, the Reverend Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, senior pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, spoke about Flack’s ability to touch not only people’s hearts, but also their souls. This sentiment was felt throughout the service, as the choir delivered soul-stirring performances of songs like “Amazing Grace”, interspersed with video recollections of Flack’s life and scripture readings.
Amidst the performances and speeches, the organ and piano provided a subtle yet powerful accompaniment, a reminder of Flack’s love for music and her skill in playing the piano. Santita Jackson, daughter of the Reverend Jesse Jackson and a close friend of Flack, spoke about the singer’s pure genius and her ability to effortlessly convey the beauty of her music to her listeners. Actor Phylicia Rashad also shared her memories of Flack, recalling how she first saw her perform as a student at Howard University. She described Flack’s quiet yet steady voice that captivated the audience and left a lasting impression on her.
Flack’s music was a unique blend of soul, jazz, flamenco, gospel, and folk, making it impossible to categorize. Her debut album, “First Take”, was a groundbreaking and influential record that showcased her diverse musical abilities. However, her most well-known songs will always hold a special place in the hearts of her fans. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, her cover of a song written by English folk artist Ewan MacColl, became an instant hit when it was used in a love scene in Clint Eastwood’s film “Play Misty for Me”. But it was her rendition of “Killing Me Softly with His Song” that truly solidified her success. After hearing the original version by Lori Lieberman on a plane, Flack fell in love with the song and covered it while on tour with Quincy Jones. The audience’s overwhelming response to her performance was a testament to the power and emotion she conveyed through her music.
As the memorial service came to a close, it was clear that Flack’s legacy would continue to live on through her music and the memories she left behind. Her “Celebration of Life” was a beautiful tribute to a woman who touched
