Jazz Singer Jon Lucien Dies At 65

Jazz singer Jon Lucien — known for his deep baritone and soulful love songs — has died.

Lucien's wife says the 65-year-old singer died Saturday in Poinciana from respiratory complications following surgery.

Lucien was born in the British Virgin Islands' main island of Tortola and raised in St. Thomas.

His 1970 RCA album "I Am Now" launched his career. Among his songs were "Rashida," "Lady Love," "Dindi," "You Don't Need Me," "Hello Like Before," and "Sweet Control."

His songs remained staples of soft jazz radio and "quiet storm" R&B shows around the country, long after their release.

"I would say my sound is a romantic sound ... it's water ... it's ocean ... it's tranquility," Lucien is quoted as saying on his official Web site.

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.

"My daughter doesn't want me sitting around being unhappy," Lucien said. "I look at her and we communicate. We make music. The music is a special force."