text: The last week or so has seen the sad passings of several personalities from the world of soul, jazz and funk.
  It's been reported that Tommy McConnell (pictured above) drummer and songwriter for the band Skyy has died McConnell wrote several of the group's greatest songs.
  Helen Wooten, Chicago music promoter, booker, manager and club owner has also recently died . She was aged 72. Amongst those whose careers she helped boost were the Jackson 5, The Temptations, The Chi-Lites, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Will Smith, LL Cool J, En Vogue and Da Brat.
  Also Jewell Caples, who was known as the 'First Lady' of Death Row Records, has reportedly died. She was 54 years old. The news was shared by her former Death Row Records collaborator Daz Dillinger.