Ann Rabson dies: Co-founder of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women was 67

Blues singer, guitarist, and pianist Ann Rabson died Wednesday after a battle with cancer, the Washington Post reports. The musician, best known for co-founding Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, was 67-years-old.

Rabson was born in New York City, but raised in Ohio. At the age of 17, she was given her first guitar by her father. When asked about her chosen genre, Rabson said, "Blues speaks to me directly," explaining, "It wasn't a choice. I was drawn to it naturally, sort of like a sheepdog with sheep."

Friend and producer Bruce Iglauer remembered Rabson as a "delightful, smart, and funny person," in a statement, saying, "We were blessed to have known her."

Rabson continued to perform over the last few years, even recording with Ani DiFranco, and blues legend Pinetop Perkins. Though Saffire disbanded in 2009, Rabson also recorded solo material, with her last album, "Not Alone," releasing in 2012.