Nancy Kelly's Bio

 Kelly’s refined stage presence, style, grace, and the ability to quickly capture the emotions of her audience isn’t the only thing that places Nancy in a league of her own--the lady was born to swing, and she means business.

Starting at age four in her hometown of Rochester, New York, Nancy studied piano, clarinet, drama and dance with private instructors, and voice at the Eastman School of Music.

During her thirty-plus year career she has honed her trademark swing/bop take no prisoners style in front of audiences across the U.S. and abroad--from Singapore to Switzerland, from Turkey to her 3 tours of Japan.

Nancy appears regularly in New York City including performances at The Blue Note, Birdland and The Rainbow Room. She works frequently in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as countless jazz clubs, festivals, and symphony orchestra engagements across the country.

Downbeat magazine’s reader’s poll voted Kelly the title of "best female jazz vocalist" two years in a row.

All of Miss Kelly’s accomplishments and accolades are testament to the fact that a great jazz voice doesn't happen overnight. More than any other instrument the voice gains its resonance and soulfullness from the life experiences of the body that surrounds it. To paraphrase Bird--If you haven't lived it isn't going to come out of your horn.

Nancy Kelly has lived it. She is, in every respect,

 Rick Holland: Nancy, talk about your latest project Born to Swing. Tell us about  some things your really proud of with this disc. Can you elaborate on  working with some of  the musicians, working with Houston Pearson, etc.

Nancy Kelly: I needed a new CD bad. It had been 9 years since my last release . I have known Houston for some time. We spent many hours discussing it. I kind of followed his suggestion in that I should do music people like to hear, hence the choice of tunes. I feel I did that without compromising my talent.  However I  do take more chances live. With  that said,  this CD is very close to seeing me live. The piano player  and I have been together  a long time and we have developed a serious  swingin' style together. .The band matches that intensity and its a  greasy little CD. Houston complements us. He's just such a wonderful  man and talent.

RH:  What are some of the things that helped to shape and mold you into  the singer you are today?

NK: I am a classically trained pianist. I studied music throughout my  School years. I also studied Dance. I was exposed to good music in my  home. My mom played jazz piano. Dad was a jazz buff . He has seen  Billy and Ella live. He used to sit me down and say " Nancy, that's  good music".  I remember sitting in my room at 13 years old listening to Aretha  Franklin. It was a bootleg CD from Europe  She was singing standards  like Misty and Somewhere. I was transfixed with her ability to  connect to spirit and sing from the depth of her soul. I wanted to  sing that way . I wanted to go where she went..
Your life experiences make your music great. Granted your chops need  the practice but the music needs heart.

RH:  Who influenced you?

NK:  I listened to all the  greats, like Ella and Billie.The list is  endless. My dad played them all. Later, in my early 20's, someone  gave me a Mark Murphy record and the window opened wide.

RH:  What is/are the music or music’s you listen to? What & who are some  of the music’s you really enjoy?

NK: I listen to Jazz all the time. It’s my on going study. However, I  have eclectic tastes. I like funky jazz, and  some of the old country  stuff, and needless to say Classical . But mostly I listen to a lot  of Dexter and Chet type stuff. I'm a die hard romantic. Sometimes I'm  listening alone and crying it's so moving to me. I have one of those  jukebox CD players. I have all the good stuff . Ella Billie, Dizzy,  Miles, Stan, on and on..I just let it go and different things strike  me on different days  It  all depends on my emotional needs in the  moment in time.

RH: How have you personally approached the creative process? How do you  prepare for concerts/gigs, etc.?

NK:  I always warm up my voice. My instrument is the most important thing  to me.  I take very good care of myself health, with a healthy diet  and exercise. I do this every everyday.  I do meditation to get  focused. As far as the creative process is concerned, it’s a connection to source This is for everyone and to do this, one  must be clear of ego and awareness of self. I work without a net. I  let it happen naturally. Thinking about creating is counter  productive. The minute you start thinking about what you are doing,  your out of the loop. Loosing focus happens to me  as it does all  musicians, but the goal is to remain open.

RH:  The state of Jazz today, what are some the things you see musicians  need to do to keep this vital art from alive today?

NK: Jazz has become like walkin' in Walmart. Tons of offerings and at  such a discount! I remember when I was living in New York I went to  the jazz club " Smoke".  One night for the Jam session there must  have been 40  horn Ppayers qued up to sit in. There was something  good yet sad about this.
It’s an Art form, so it will survive. It’s just never going to be in  the mainstream again.  For Jazz was attached to an era that was  formed by historical events that evoked a kind of emotion and musical  need . Our culture is in a very different place, emotionally now.  Musicians cant do much more. It’s up to the teachers and parents at  this point to keep awareness alive.

RH: What advice do you have for younger vocalists who are interested in a  professional career in music?

NK: Have a backup way to make a living.  Don't do it unless it is  consuming you to the point of distraction.

RH:  Can you share some of your current and future goals with your music?

NK: At this juncture  I can honestly say I’d like to increase my  awareness both nationally and internationally. I would love to have a  great label and tour support. Who wouldn't?  Given that we are a  youth based society and still somewhat patriarchal it’s going to be  tough. But I'm a fighter and I am dedicated to my work. I’m one of  those keeping the art form alive. Not to mention I really couldn't   do anything else. My soul would die