Nancy Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz singer, dies at 81

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2007 file photo, Nancy Wilson performs during an all-star tribute concert for Herbie Hancock, in Los Angeles. (Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES – Grammy-winning jazz and pop singer Nancy Wilson has died.

Her manager Devra Hall Levy tells The Associated Press late Thursday night that Wilson died peacefully after a long illness at her home in Pioneertown, a California desert community near Joshua Tree National Park. She was 81.

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2005 file photo, Nancy Wilson holds her Grammy award for best jazz vocal album for "R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)" at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. (Associated Press) 

Influenced by Dinah Washington, Nat "King" Cole and other stars, Wilson covered everything from jazz standards to "Little Green Apples" and in the 1960s alone released eight albums that reached the top 20 on Billboard's pop charts.

Sometimes elegant and understated, or quick and conversational, she was best known for such songs as her breakthrough "Guess Who I Saw Today" and the 1964 hit "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am," which drew upon Broadway, pop and jazz.

Wilson retired from touring in 2011.