Jon Lucien Dies

Singer Jon Lucien, whose deep baritone and soulful love songs made him a respected jazz artist for more than 35 years, has died, his wife said. He was 65.

Lucien died Saturday from respiratory complications after surgery, his wife, Delesa, said Tuesday.

Lucien, who was born in the British Virgin Islands’ main island of Tortola and raised in St. Thomas, began performing in his teens.

His 1970 RCA album, “I Am Now,” launched a recording career that earned him a loyal following, though his hard-to-categorize style never led to breakout success.

Among his songs were “Rashida,” “Lady Love,” “Dindi,” “You Don’t Need Me,” “Hello Like Before,” and “Sweet Control.” His recordings of “Rashida” and “Lady Love” got Grammy nominations for arranger Dave Grusin in 1974 in the category of best arrangement accompanying vocalist(s).

Lucien’s 17-year-old daughter, Dalila, was among the 230 people killed in the crash of TWA Flight 800 off New York in July 1996. He sought solace in the studio and recorded the album “Endless is Love,” which was released in 1997.

In recent years, he performed live with a jazz fusion group at jazz festivals around the United States and managed his own record label, Sugar Apple Music.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, an adopted daughter and a stepson.