July 5, 2009 file photo: Teena Marie performs during the Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Marie, 54, died over the weekend.
Enlarge Patrick Semansky/AP

July 5, 2009 file photo: Teena Marie performs during the Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Marie, 54, died over the weekend.

July 5, 2009 file photo: Teena Marie performs during the Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Marie, 54, died over the weekend.
Patrick Semansky/AP

July 5, 2009 file photo: Teena Marie performs during the Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Marie, 54, died over the weekend.

Take a quick break from the snow, the cold and the other "important" news of the day to hear a remarkable voice — that of the "Ivory Queen of Soul," 54-year-old Teena Marie, who died over the weekend. We've got two pieces to share that include quick clips from some of Marie's hits.

Rose Scott filed this report about the singer for NPR's newscast:

Rose Scott on Teena Marie

And Ed Gordon interviewed Marie for NPR in 2006:

According to the Associated Press, Marie was found dead Sunday in her Pasadena, Calif., home. Police think she died of natural causes.