Blues singer Shonka Dukureh, who recently had a breakout performance in Baz Luhrmann’s musical biopic Elvis, has died, The Tennessean reports. Dukureh, who played influential singer Big Mama Thornton in Luhrmann’s film, was found in the bedroom of the apartment she shared with her two children, Nashville police said. Dukureh was 44 years old.
According to Dukureh’s website, she was originally educated as a primary school teacher before turning to music. (Per THR, he continued to work with children through after-school and summer programs, even as he pursued his acting career.) Elvis was his film debut, after several years working as session music with various artists including Jamie. Liddell and Nick Cave. He played Thornton in Luhrmann’s film, and also appeared on the film’s soundtrack, performing the version of “Hound Dog” that inspires Austin Butler’s Elvis to start performing the song himself. In addition to her appearance on Elvis, Dukureh also appeared in a recent music video for Doja Cat, and was preparing to release her first album, The Lady Sings The Blues.
In an interview about the film, Dukureh said of Thornton: “[Big Mama Thornton] she was very raw with what she did and very honest and truthful and [made] music as she heard it. And I could totally relate to that… I was very conscious and I wanted to be really intentional about making sure that I respected her, I respected her, I respected her legacy, I respected her spirit, I respected everything that she brought to music and I understand that I’m able to do it because he has done it and laid the foundations.”
No cause of death is known, though Metro Nashville Police have said foul play is not suspected. Nashville Mayor John Cooper praised Dukureh on social media today, honoring her career as both an educator and performer.