Singer-songwriter Larysa Jaye died in a car accident in Nashville at 40 years old on Sunday, Dec. 8. In the midst of Jaye’s death, the Nashville music community mourns her loss

The Kansas City, KS native and acoustic soul musician influenced younger Nashville performers and left her mark on the city’s music scene. She wrote powerful songs of motherhood and broke down walls for Black women in country music spaces

Jaye performed at popular writer’s rounds, the Black Opry, and was the only Black woman with a current artist residency on Lower Broadway in Nashville at Justin Timberlake’s Twelve Thirty Club. Travelers could often find Jaye at BNA International Airport where she regularly sang at restaurants and performance posts

Singer-songwriter Larysa Jaye has died at age 40 in a car accident on Sunday, Dec. 8. The Nashville music community mourns her loss.

Jaye performed to her largest crowd, an audience of over 30,000 people, at the opening of a Nashville Major League Soccer team game

A graduate of The Academy of Country Music’s OnRamp Program, Jaye was also a member of The Recording Academy, The Black Music Action Coalition, and the Black Opry. She sang with notable performers Lauren Daigle, Danny Gokey, Carrie Underwood and collaborated Kevin Max

Over her career, Jaye garnered multiple nominations for the Nashville Independent Spirit Award, served as musical director for the Summer Shakespeare series in Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN, and was named as a talent for The National Museum of African American Music’s Emerging Artist program

She started writing Christian music at 16 years old in Nashville and became an official recording artist in the late 2010s, coming to be known for tracks “Birmingham (Side by Side),” “Just Like That,” “The Thoughts That Happen,” and more. Jaye released her most recent single, “I Don’t Do Love,” on Sept. 13

She is survived by her four children, Sydney, Kadyn, Kingston and Shakira, her parents Wendell and Sharon Hamilton, and her three brothers, Carlos, Wendell Jr. and Nathan

Nashville music scene mourns loss of Larysa Jaye, raises memorial funds

Jaye’s friend and publicist, David Hawkins, started a fund to raise money for her memorial needs

“Due to an overwhelmingly high volume of outreach and interest, we wanted to give Larysa’s friends, colleagues and fans an opportunity to help,” he said
Individuals can donate to Jaye’s memorial fund at gofundme.com

In the midst of Jaye’s death, many community leaders and musicians have spoken out

Country in Color, a collective that aims to “enrich Nashville’s music scene by providing a stage for multicultural artists,” posted on social media that they would be honoring Jaye’s life at their next show. Jaye had a Country in Color spotlight performance slated for Dec. 14 at Wedge Pizza and Pub

“We will be dedicating our next show and after speaking with @thebestjasonintheworld of @guidancewhiskey they will be doing the same,” Country in Color said

“Larysa was a beacon of light and energy in every room she entered. Her beauty as a person was reflected in her contiguous smile, her lyrics and performances,” they said
“She leaves behind four children and family. We are working to put together an event to help offset any costs and provide relief for her children and family. Anyone wanting to get involved please reach out.”

“Lord we ask you please provide comfort to those grieving and start healing the wounds of her absence. Larysa thank you for all you were to us. You will be forever missed. Rest in Power our dear friend.”

Color Me Country Radio host Rissi Palmer also posted on social media

“One of the first and few times that @larysajaye and I ever spoke face to face, I came to the table knowing she was a talented, hard working musician,” she said

“Her reputation preceded her. I asked her what her why was. Without skipping a beat, she said her four babies,” Palmer continued

“A woman after my own heart. Larysa passed tragically this weekend and now her children will need all the love and support the community can summon up. Pray for her family and friends and if you have it to spare, please support this gofundme for her children.”

Nashville pop singer JADA shared words as well, writing, “I could never put into words just how much I loved @larysajaye and how much she changed me.”

“We met while playing free sets for tips at The Row about 5 years ago. I had just moved to town and was immediately drawn to her as an artist and person,” she continued. “From then on, we shared the stage together all over town. She would call on me, I would call on her. We trusted each other.”

“She was a testament to never giving up on your dreams. She walked tall, sang boldly, loved deeply, laughed beautifully, and dreamed endlessly. She was the hardest worker I’ve ever known. She was essential part of the Nashville music scene.”

Details about Larysa Jaye’s memorial services will be released soon

To learn more about Jaye, you can visit larysajaye.com

Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist with The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].