Renowned R&B and house artist Ceybil Jefferies, known by her stage name Sweet Sable, has sadly passed away after contracting coronavirus in April 2020. Born Sybil Jefferies in Brooklyn, she left an indelible mark on the music industry in the 1990s with her powerful vocals and versatile style. As we reflect on her life and career, we celebrate her contributions to genres like house music and R&B.
Jefferies signed with Atlantic Records in the early 1990s and quickly gained recognition in the house music scene with the release of her debut album, “Let Music Take Control,” in 1991. Her breakout single, “So Special,” became a hit, and another track, “Open Your Heart,” made its way to the Top 20 of Billboard’s Dance Clubs Chart that same year.
Throughout her career, Jefferies reinvented herself several times, changing her stage name to avoid confusion with other vocalists. She released singles under monikers like Ceybil, Sybil Jefferies (her given name), and Ceybil Jeffries. After parting ways with Atlantic in 1993, she signed with the Scotti Brothers label as Sable Jefferies. Under this new name, her music shifted towards the New Jack Swing genre, as showcased in her first single, “Friends (For Old Time Sake).”
Jefferies embraced the changing times and adjusted her image to reflect the laid-back tomboy aesthetic popularized by artists like Xscape, TLC, and Aaliyah. This evolution proved successful as “Friends (For Old Time Sake)” was renamed “Old Times’ Sake” and featured on the soundtrack of the film “Above The Rim” in 1994. It was during this period that Jefferies adopted the stage name Sweet Sable. “Old Times’ Sake” climbed to No. 15 on the Billboard R&B Charts and achieved success on the Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart, reaching No. 2 after Doug E. Fresh’s “Freaks.”
Collaborating with Street Life Records and Scotti Brothers, Jefferies released the album “Old Times Sake” and other supporting singles like “Tonight” and “Love Thang.” These tracks found their place on the Billboard R&B charts, with “Love Thang” also topping the defunct Hot Dance Breakdowns Chart. Her music represented the early blending of R&B and hip-hop, serving as an inspiration for the collaborative format between the two genres that continues today. She worked alongside icons like Guru and MC Lyte, leaving her mark on the industry.
Despite venturing into different musical territories, Jefferies did not abandon her house music roots entirely. Under her previous moniker Ceybil Jefferies, she collaborated with Dutch artists Deep House Zone for the track “It’s Gonna Be Alright” in 1996, which charted at No. 20 on the Hot Dance Play chart. In the same year, she released two versions of “I’ll Never Go Back,” showcasing her ability to deliver both sultry R&B slow jams and harmonious ballads. Tragically, her third album, “Love On My Mind,” was shelved.
As Jefferies continued to release music into the 2000s, her health began to decline. She was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis, a debilitating inflammatory disease that primarily affects the lungs, making breathing difficult. The disease also resulted in the loss of her vision.
In 2012, a fundraising event was held to support Jefferies with her medical expenses while also celebrating her music. Despite her challenges, she remained resilient, inspiring others with her unwavering spirit. Although her career was cut short, Sweet Sable left an enduring impact on the house and R&B music scenes with her exceptional vocals and versatility.
As we bid farewell to Ceybil Jefferies, let us remember her as a trailblazer and an influential artist who contributed to the rich tapestry of R&B and house music. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and fans alike.
