A local music legend whose voice was once compared to that of Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, passed away this week at his home in Sandys.

Angelo Mitchell will be remembered by many Bermudians, not just for his smooth and sultry sounds heard at numerous venues across the Island including Henry VIII Restaurant, but also for the work he did as banquet manager at the Fairmont Southampton Resort.

Mr. Mitchell became one of the few Bermudian singer-songwriters to hit the airways in both the US and Caribbean in the late 90s with his debut album, ?You?re my everything?.

Black Radio Exclusive (BRE), one of America?s leading weekly music trade publications, once wrote of Mr. Mitchell: ?...This balladeer has a sound that?s certain to catch on with the older females. It charms with a lovely style of vocal that?s warming and very pleasing in all aspects.?

And in a rare interview in 1994, Mr. Mitchell recalled spending his childhood singing gospel music and said that he would never write a song that would offend anyone, least of all a Christian.

His music was about romance and love and Mr. Mitchell once said he believed in writing romantic songs because he believed there was a market for that kind of music.

Co-workers, friends and family were still in shock yesterday at his untimely death and Fairmont Southampton General Manager, Norman Mastalir said Mr. Mitchell was a friend to everyone.

?He was just a tremendous fellow and there must be hundreds of people on the Island who worked with him and are going to miss him,? he said.

Mr. Mastalir said Mr. Mitchell worked as banquet manager at the hotel for more than 20 years, but was also well-known around the Island for his vocal performances.

?He had an outstanding voice,? he said.

Chief reporter at Cathy Stovell was a good friend of Mr. Mitchell and yesterday reminisced over the times they?d spent together.

?He sang ?Oh Holy Night? to me one Christmas Eve. I?ll never forget it,? she said.

Ms Stovell described Mr. Mitchell as a lot of fun and said they shared the same godson who lives in Germany.

?Every time I saw him he would insist I call my godson. It was important to him that we stay in touch,? she said.