Edina Graduate, Popular Jazz Singer Christine Rosholt Dies

Edina High School graduate and Twin Cities’ jazz singer Christine Rosholt died suddenly Wednesday. Details concerning her death haven't been released. Rosholt was 46. 

Friends have left messages and stories about Rosholt on her Facebook page, and the outpouring of support after her death has been overwhelming, her father, Steve Rosholt, said to The Star Tribune. 

Rosholt wrote “Hope to see you on Thursday at Barbette” on her Facebook profile page, an apparent promotion of her upcoming gig at the Uptown restaurant last Thursday. That was her last post on the social media site.

"It's nice that people remember her as always being vibrant and cheerful," he said. "I personally was blown away when I would see the audience reaction at her shows," he said to the newspaper. 

Rosholt’s career began in Minneapolis after performing many nights at various music outlets including Nye’s Polonaise Room, the Dakota, the Honey Lounge, the Wabasha Street Caves and Hell’s’ Kitchen.

Rosholt recently released her new CD, "Pazz”, celebrating its release on December 1, 2011, at the Dakota. 

Scott Yanow, in LA Jazz Scene, said that Rosholt had “a subtle but powerful voice, one that sneaks up on the listener and makes a surprisingly strong impression.”

Aside from singing jazz professionally, Rosholt was also a volunteer performer at veteran’s homes, said friend Jack Litzau on her Facebook page. “The vets loved her shows, but I was the lucky one for getting to play with her. Christine was funny, witty, generous, thoughtful. It hurts to think we won't be doing that anymore.”

And as another friend wrote, “the sky is crying.”

There will be a small tribute to Christine's Memory at the January Sample Night Live! performance at the History Theater in St. Paul as well as a memorial event at the Dakota, which has been tentatively scheduled for January 10, 2012.