A public memorial service bursting with music, including a performance by Stevie Wonder, celebrated the life and legacy of Grammy-winning US singer and pianist Roberta Flack.

Flack’s songs The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song made her a global star in the 1970s and beyond. She died last month at age 88.

Lauryn Hill showed up at the Abyssinian Baptist Church to perform back-to-back covers of those hits, while Wonder also performed at the historic Harlem church and Reverend Al Sharpton gave the eulogy on Monday.

Flack “put a soundtrack to black dignity”, Sharpton said.

She was an influential performer with an intimate vocal and musical style that ranged easily between soul, jazz and gospel.

The program featured a powerful quote from Flack.

“Remember: Always walk in the light,” it read. “If you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the Light.”

Wonder performed his song If It’s Magic, then sat at the piano to sing with the harpist a song he wrote for Flack, I Can See the Sun in Late December.

“The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to even better see with your heart. And so I knew how beautiful Roberta was, not seeing her visually but being able to see and feel her heart,” Wonder said.

“I love you, Roberta. And I will see you,” Wonder said

Choir performances – including a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace – came in between a video recollection of Flack’s life and scripture readings.

“The reason we’re here is because she made a difference,” Sharpton said.

“We should all ask ourselves when it comes our time, will they pack a church for you? If Roberta were here tonight, she would tell you don’t just praise me, emulate me.”

-AAP