posted by Robert J. Carmack  @blues2jazzguy

Singer/ songwriter, Jessica Cleaves Passed away early this morning. at the present time there are no details to share.. a family statement is expected in the very near future.

Born: December 10 1948 –  Transitioned: May 2 2014

The Friends of Distinction formed in 1968 in Los Angeles with original members Floyd Butler, Harry Elston, Jessica Cleaves, and Barbara Love. Butler and Elston had worked together in The Hi-Fi’s in the mid 1960s, often opening for Ray Charles. Other members of the Hi-Fi’s were Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore, who would later co-found The Fifth Dimension.

The Friends of Distinction were discovered by American football player Jim Brown, who also discovered Earth, Wind & Fire, and were signed to RCA Records. Ms Cleaves was also a featured singer in the early days of Earth , Wind and Fire. and , in more recent time she was quite  visible with George Clinton’ & Parliament.     

Jessica was born in Los Angeles. Jessica Cleaves was born to Mary Gladys Cleaves , a librarian, and Lane C. Cleaves II, a U.S. Postal employee.

Jessica’s paternal grandfather, Lane C. Cleaves Sr., was presiding Bishop over Phillips Temple, CME.

Cleaves’ godson filmmaker Armand Araujo , begun filming her life story Jessica Cleaves, My Friends of Distinction in 2013.