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Nancy Kelly
Nancy Kelly is one of the few blues-based jazz singers working today.
Also active as a songwriter, educator and impresario, Nancy Kelly enjoys a
solid international fan base thanks to her intoxicating swinging style. Ms.
Kelly’s artistry harkens back to a time when jazz – including vocal jazz - was
an authentic expression of genuine emotion.
Kelly has appeared regularly in New York City for decades, at such hallowed
venues as The Blue Note, Birdland, The Rainbow Room and Dizzy’s at JALC.
She also works frequently throughout the USA and abroad, in jazz clubs,
festivals, and symphony orchestra engagements. International exposure has
included engagements in Singapore, Switzerland, France, Turkey, Japan,
Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia.
She was twice named Best Female Jazz Vocalist in the DownBeat Readers’
Poll, and was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame on May 1,
2022. Past alumni include trumpeters Chuck Mangione and Lew Soloff;
opera star Renee Fleming, bass legend Ron Carter, drummer Steve Gadd and
vibraphonist Joe Locke. Esteemed company indeed!
Nancy Kelly has recorded seven critically-acclaimed recordings that also
charted at radio. Her first recording, Live Jazz, reached #11 on the Billboard
jazz charts. Born to Swing and her fourth recording, Well Alright feature tenor
saxophonist Houston Person. Nancy’s highly-acclaimed B That Way enjoyed
eight solid weeks in the top 50 on the national Jazz Week charts and received
rave reviews worldwide. Her most recent full album, Remembering Mark
Murphy, with guest artist Randy Brecker, was hailed by Jazziz as one of the
top 20 Jazz recordings of 2019. Nancy’s latest, Jazz Woman, enjoyed 14 weeks
at #1 on the RMR charts.
Awards
1. Unsung Heroine Award for achievements in music from the National Organization of Women. 2. 2018 Jazz-N-Caz Award for her contributions to the local jazz community. 3. 4 SAMMY Awards Best Female Vocalist & Best Jazz Group.Syracuse, New York Sammy’s Hall of Fame. 4. Central New York Jazz honored Nancy with the Jazz Educator of the Year Award April 2019 5. Rochester Hall of Fame 2020
Gear
Neumann KMS 105. QSC 10's Behringer X-AIR
Tags
Django Reinhardt, James Moody and Nancy Kelly
by Joe Dimino
We kick off the 756th Episode of Neon Jazz with vocalist Nancy Kelly then spin an array of new music from the likes of Sidney Jacobs, The Extended Trio, Pasquale Stefano and Charlton Singleton. Brazilian jazz artist Tetel Di Babuya steps away from her violin in a new role as a singer on her new album Meet Tetel. Classic songs from Django Reinhardt and James Moody round out a solid hour of jazz. Enjoy the music, my friends.
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly: Jazz Woman: The Reel to Real Sessions
by Hrayr Attarian
Among jazz aficionados in the “real" Upstate New York, that is to say in and around the cities of Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, vocalist Nancy Kelly is well known. She has performed at multiple venues, both still extant and defunct, which served as havens for music lovers in the area. Known for her uncompromising artistry and singular approach to standards, Kelly did not limit her activity to her native region. Over half a century she has performed all over the ...
Continue ReadingSinging Their Praises
by H William Stine
Don't you love it when Nat Cole sings one of his signature songs, for instance, "Smile?" Someone else sang that this week. What about any recordings of Sinatra singing “Angel Eyes?" Someone else sang that too, because this week great singers and musicians paid tribute to other great singers and musicians in a two-hour love fest of “Singing Their Praises." I also tossed in a few of the originals lest we forget how original their music was. Playlist Cody ...
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly: A Dynamic And Determined Voice
by Scott Gudell
Nancy Kelly has been singin,' swingin' and scattin' for a long time. Her first musical path took her into the world of classical music when she started playing by ear at age three and her mother guided her to piano lessons by age four. The Beatles arrived a decade later and she abruptly shifted her allegiance to rock. But Ms. Kelly eventually followed the musical breadcrumbs that lead her to the world of jazz and American Standards which is where ...
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly: B That Way
by C. Michael Bailey
Vocalist Nancy Kelly is one of those artists one can always count on for producing muscular and assertive jazz. On B That Way, Kelly is supported by an organ-guitar trio featuring tenor saxophone. Such a format affords an expanse of sound from the intimacy of a piano trio to the full-throated roar of a big band. “Come Back to Me" opens the disc with such a roar, Kelly stretching her alto taut and fine. Kelly-collaborator, organist Dino Losito, keeps the ...
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly: Born To Swing
by Michael P. Gladstone
Nancy Kelly is a jazz vocalist who has recorded three albums since 1988 on the Amherst label. Born in Rochester, Kelly lives on Lake Ontario between Syracuse and Rochester in upstate New York. Her new album has the decided advantage of presenting her with a fine quartet: Houston Person (tenor sax), Dino Losito (keyboards), Neal Miner (bass) and Mark Taylor (drums). Their music, and especially the obbligatos and solo work by Person, lift this album up a notch. The presence ...
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly And Her Trio
by AAJ Staff
Michael D's July 20-21-2002
Nancy Kelly held the audience in the palm of her hand for two magical nights at Michael D's Santa Rosa Jazz Club. Thomas Beecham was right when he said, “Magical music never leaves the memory" and Miss Kelly was the enchantress that cast her dazzling spell over those in attendance. From Jonathan Winters to the busboys, from the waitstaff, to the cognoscenti, each and every attendee was caught up in the moment. ...
Continue ReadingVocalist Nancy Kelly's Remembering Mark Murphy CD Release Performance At Birdland Theater On July 4-5-6
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
Nancy Kelly: Remembering Mark Murphy CD Release Performance at Birdland Theater July 4-5-6 with John Di Martino & Friends Climbing the Jazz Week Charts International Airplay Birdland Theater 7pm- Doors Open at 5:30pm 315 W. 44th St., New York, NY 10036 $20-$30 Phone: 212-581-3080 Nancy Kelly: vocals John di Martino: piano Yoshi Waki- bass Vince Cherico: drums
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Nancy Kelly Releases April 26th Remembering Mark Murphy Featuring Randy Brecker And More!
Source:
Scott Thompson Public Relations
"People often ask me who my favorite singer is, and my answer is always, without hesitation, Mark Murphy. With Mark's passing, I was moved to honor him musically with this recording. It was early in my singing career that a friend turned me on to Mark. Most of the songs chosen for this recording were ones that influenced or moved me to become a jazz singer. Some are are now iconic Mark Murphy, to be forever associated with him. When ...
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Nancy Kelly's 6th CD honors legendary Jazz singer Mark Murphy
Source:
All About Jazz
Support Nancy Kelly's Mark Murphy Tribute CD About this project Thank you for your interest in this very exciting opportunity to help fund my sixth recording project. People often ask me who my favorite singer is, and my answer is always, without hesitating, Mark Murphy. I was heavily influenced by his work. He was “the real deal,” and he’s the reason I am a jazz singer. With Mark’s recent passing, I am moved to honor him musically with this recording. ...
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NY Vocalist Nancy Kelly Performs Live at Vitello's (Studio City) on March 22
Source:
All About Jazz
Nancy Kelly will perform with the Llew Matthews Trio Upstairs at Vitello's Jazz & Supper Club in Studio City. There will be two shows 8p & 10p. Reservations at 818-769-0905 are highly recommended for this rare appearance."Nancy Kelly's refined vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and the ability to swing. Kelly's powerful singing has captured many awards and the ears of many jazz fans around the globe. With a new CD that continues to demonstrate why critics have ...
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Nancy Kelly Sing into Spring Festival at Dizzy's March 13-17
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Nancy Kelly Sing into Spring Festival at Dizzy's March 13-17 11:00 PM
DIZZY's CLUB COCA-COLA http://www.jalc.org/ 33 West 60th Street, New York NY
Nancy Kelly Band Tuesday March 13 Ray Gallon Piano Neal Miner Bass Fukushi Tainaka Drums
Wednesday March 14 Ray Gallon Piano Neal Miner Bass Jimmy Madison Drums
Thursday Friday and Saturday March 15-17 Dino Losito Piano Neal Miner Bass Jimmy Madison Drums
Her Latest CD ...
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Nancy Kelly at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola September 21st at 11pm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Nancy Kelly Women in Jazz Festival JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER DIZZY's CLUB COCA COLA www.jalc.org/dccc/women_in_jazz.html 33 West 60th Street, New York NY Nancy Kelly with Dino Losito, piano Neal Miner, bass Joe Strasser, drums
Celebrating the Release of Her New CD Born To Swing Amherst Records AM24422
“She swings, the band swings, the arrangements swing, the toe (well, my toe) taps, and ...
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Nancy Kelly Upcoming Appearances Celebrating the Release of Her New CD Nancy Kelly "Born To Swing"
Source:
All About Jazz
Nancy Kelly Upcoming Appearances Celebrating the Release of Her New CD Born To Swing Amherst Records AM24422 Street Date June 6, 2006
May 31, 2006 The Westin Los Angeles Airport 6-10 pm CD release party Chris Colangelo, bass; Theo saunders, piano; Roy McCurdy, drums 310.216.5858
June 1, 2006 The Back Room at Henri's 21601 Sherman Way, ...
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"Kelly explores the nuances of lyrics as intently as a jeweler inspects a world-class gemstone." JAZZIZ "This lady is a study in jazz's cool, it's phrasing, its nuance, and its sophistication. Kelly has wowed em all over the world with her classic swing and elegance." Rochester International Jazzfest "You're the real thing, and in an age of too many jazz-vocal poseurs, that's pretty damned refreshing.” Neil Tesser “Kelly is a world-class jazz singer in the feisty, swinging tradition of Anita O’Day. Throughout her scintillating set, she demonstrated superb phrasing, excellent time, great intonation and tons of chops, with a load of charisma to boot.” - Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes “Nancy Kelly is the Anita O'Day of today.” - Mark Murphy "Nancy Kelly is an exceptionally gifted jazz singer." The Jazz Journal “If swing was Gold, Nancy would be the richest women on earth” John Gilbert E News
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Location
Rochester
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Call for availability and rates
Clinic/Workshop Information
Nancy teaches "The Art of Popular Singing and Vocal Jazz Techniques" at Cornell Universityand privately via Zoom, focusing on what she calls "conversational singing." In Nancy's words: "I do not teach how to sing particular songs or any particular style of music. While I have students that study Jazz singing with me, my classes are intensive study on how to use the voice." She has combined techniques from the classical discipline with her 40 years experience singing everything from rock to jazz
Ella Fitzgerald
vocals
Billie Holiday
vocals
Joni Mitchell
vocals
Mark Murphy
vocals
Dinah Washington
vocals
Joe Williams
vocals
Nancy Wilson
vocals
Vanessa Vacanti
vocalsPhotos
Music
Devil May Care
From: Be CoolBy Nancy Kelly
Remembering Mark Murphy
From: Remembering Mark MurphyBy Nancy Kelly
Videos
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