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Obituary: Christine Rosholt, 46, sang jazz

The Minneapolis vocalist died suddenly on Wednesday. A tribute is being planned.

By Chris Riemenschneider

December 30, 2011 at 4:13AM

Vocalist Christine Rosholt “was always boisterous and bubbly and knew how to work a room,” bassist Graydon Peterson said. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

One of the Twin Cities' hardest-working jazz singers of recent years, Christine Rosholt, died suddenly on Wednesday. Details of her death have not been made public.

"Hope to see you tonight," was the last message the 46-year-old Minneapolis-based vocalist left on her Facebook page, promoting a gig at Barbette last Thursday.

Bassist Graydon Peterson, who backed Rosholt at that gig and some of Rosholt's many other shows in recent months, said there was no indication of anything wrong.

"She was always boisterous and bubbly and knew how to work a room," said Peterson.

Her father, Steve Rosholt, declined to comment, other than to say that he and the rest of her family were touched by the outpouring of support and mourning from her many fans and friends in the local music scene.

"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."

Many friends and peers in the music scene have left messages on her Facebook page, including this one from jazz vet Dennis Spears: "I am shocked and saddened by this loss! Sweet sleep, Christine! You will be missed!"

A graduate of Edina High School and alum of the Children's Theater and the Art Institute of Chicago, Rosholt always followed artistic pursuits, including photography. However, she did not start performing her cabaret-style jazz act until well into her 30s -- after she spent many nights honing her skills at the piano bar at Nye's, her father said.

Drummer Jay Epstein, one of her earliest and most steadfast collaborators, said he admired how dedicated she was once she decided to be a jazz singer. "The more she delved into the jazz world, she became much more accomplished with it and really filled her life with it," he said.

Rosholt issued her debut album, "Detour Ahead," in 2006. She hit the pavement, performing everywhere from corner bistros to the Jungle Theater and the Dakota.

In 2009, she issued a live CD recorded at the Dakota, where she also performed on Dec. 1 to celebrate her latest studio album, "Pazz."

"It was a great night, and you could really tell she had poured her heart into it," recalled Dakota co-owner Lowell Pickett, who said he respected Rosholt's work ethic most of all.

"She was always doing the work it takes to get your name out there, and she succeeded at it."

The family is not planning any other public memorial, but a musical tribute is in the works, tentatively set for Jan. 10 at the Dakota.

Chris Riemenschneider • 612-673-4658

about the writer

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.