Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was known primarily (and deservedly) as a poet and best-selling author, delivering the poem "In the Pulse of the Morning" as part of President Bill Clinton's inauguration ceremonies. She was far less known for her early career as a singer; she herself seldom referred to this facet of her background. In 1957, at the age of 27, she made a recording as a calypso singer, Miss Calypso, which consisted of quite respectable calypso with mild pop and world music influences. Also featuring light guitar, conga, drum, and bongo accompaniment, the album was reissued on CD in 1996. Maya Angelou died on May 28, 2014 at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at the age of 86. Her passing brought worldwide reflection on her long presence as one of the most important African-American authors, artists, activists, and educators of her time.