Odetta

In her early days, critics compared Flack to Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Odetta and even Judy Garland: “As long as there’s so much disagreement about who I sound like, I know I must have a style of my own,” she told The Times in 1970 after the release of her sophomore album, “Chapter Two.”

It also features some Black folk pioneers who inspired future generations, like Odetta and Tracy Chapman.

A central figure in the 1960s folk revival, the Alabama-born singer and guitarist Odetta inspired Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and countless others with her impassioned take on traditional Americana and her unmistakable voice.

“Hit or Miss,” from her 1970 album “Odetta Sings,” is one of her greatest originals.

Over six decades, in thousands of live performances and on more than 250 record albums, Mr. Lee’s mellow and ebullient string bass accompanied a pantheon of music stars, including as well Duke Ellington, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Simon and Garfunkel, Harry Belafonte, Ian & Sylvia, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton and Peter, Paul and Mary.