Jessi Zazu, frontwoman for the Nashville-based alt-country band Those Darlins, died on Tuesday after a battle with cervical cancer. She was 28.
Zazu, born Jessi Zazu Wariner, formed Those Darlins with Nikki Kvarnes and Kelley Anderson and released their debut EP, “Wild One,” in 2008. It was followed by three albums: “Those Darlins” (2009), “Screws Get Loose” (2011) and “Blur The Line” (2013). Through their career, Those Darlins became known for blending country music with indie rock, and gained a cult following after joining Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach on his U.S. solo tour. The band announced their hiatus December 2015, performing their last show the following March.
Zazu hinted at her cancer diagnosis on the song “Ain’t Afraid,” which included the words, “There’s a tumor growing on my body and I don’t know what lays in store.” After Those Darlins parted ways, Zazu spoke openly about her cancer, which became the subject of a cover story in Nashville Scene.
She died at Centennial Hospital in Nashville while accompanied by friends and family, according to The Tennessean.