Celebrities react to singer Natalie Cole's passing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tony Bennett is remembering Natalie Cole as "an exceptional jazz singer," and says it was "an honor to have recorded and performed with her."

Blue Telusma

Jan 2, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tony Bennett is remembering Natalie Cole as “an exceptional jazz singer,” and says it was “an honor to have recorded and performed with her.”

It’s among the tributes that have been heard today after the news that Cole died yesterday in Los Angeles at the age of 65.

Aretha Franklin calls her “one of the greatest singers of our time.”

Cole was the daughter of jazz legend Nat King Cole. And she had hits of her own before recording her late father’s “Unforgettable,” intertwining her voice with his.

Cole had battled drug problems and hepatitis that forced her to undergo a kidney transplant in May 2009.

Sending prayers and condolences to all the loved ones of my friend #NatalieCole! She will be truly missed but her light will shine forever!

— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) January 1, 2016

In college, I named my bass guitar Natalie! As a young stand up comic I opened for Natalie Cole. She was all that, in all ways!
[ RIP ]

— Arsenio Hall (@ArsenioHall) January 1, 2016

https://twitter.com/indiaarie/status/682971697977384960

R I P Natalie Cole one of the greatest sweetest most talented people I have ever met.thank u for all u gave us pic.twitter.com/COj27t3G59

— Randy Jackson (@YO_RANDYJACKSON) January 1, 2016