On Feb. 25, cancer claimed the life of Chicago native Diane Izzo. She was 43. In 1999, musician Diane Izzo won big praise with her debut album, One. It was a trifecta of elegant and emotive music, lyrics and voice. That album was 10 years in the making. And although Izzo never released another album, her creative voice was hardly silent.

At the time of her death, Diane Izzo was living in New Mexico with her partner, Marco Zas where they were working on a movie project together. Izzo herself had dozens of unreleased songs, and was reportedly making plans to head back into the studio before she died. Izzo’s brain tumor was first discovered in 2008. Though she’d moved from Chicago, support poured forth from the city during her illness. Her friends and brethren from Chicago’s music community organized a benefit concert to help with her medical expenses.

But more than two years later – before she could give the world just a few final creative offerings – she succumbed to cancer. Izzo’s partner, Marco Zas, told Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune and WBEZ’s Sound Opinions, that he’s working on staging a memorial concert in Chicago. Musician Diane Izzo passed away last Friday reportedly surrounded by friends and family. Services will be held in New Mexico; she was 43.

Songs featured:
Diane Izzo, “Freight Train” (demo), unreleased
Diane Izzo, “Horse of Diana” One (Sugar Free Records)
Diane Izzo, “The Real One” One (Sugar Free Records)
Diane Izzo, “Faker” One (Sugar Free Records)
Diane Izzo, “Everywhere” One (Sugar Free Records)
Diane Izzo, “Black & Gold”, unreleased
-from the forthcoming film by Diane Izzo and Marco Zas, Black & Gold
Diane Izzo, “One” One (Sugar Free Records)
Diane Izzo, “White Bee” (demo), unreleased