Period

:

Classical

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Nancy Wilson was an American singer and actress who was born on February 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio. She was the eldest of six children and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a factory worker and a musician, and her mother was a maid. Wilson began singing at a young age and was influenced by jazz and blues music. Wilson's career began in the late 1950s when she won a talent contest at a local nightclub. She was discovered by saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who helped her secure a recording contract with Capitol Records. Her debut album, "Like in Love," was released in 1959 and featured jazz standards such as "The Nearness of You" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." Wilson's unique vocal style, which blended jazz, pop, and R&B, quickly gained her a following. She released several successful albums throughout the 1960s, including "Something Wonderful" (1960), "Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley" (1961), and "Yesterday's Love Songs/Today's Blues" (1963). Her 1964 album, "How Glad I Am," earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Recording. In addition to her music career, Wilson also acted in several films and television shows. She made her film debut in 1967 in "Hurry Sundown" and went on to appear in "The Big Score" (1983) and "The Meteor Man" (1993). She also had guest roles on television shows such as "I Spy," "The Cosby Show," and "Moesha." Throughout her career, Wilson continued to release successful albums and perform live. She collaborated with other artists such as Ramsey Lewis, George Shearing, and Cannonball Adderley. In 1982, she released the album "The Two of Us," a duet album with jazz pianist and singer Joe Williams. Wilson received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In addition to her Grammy Award, she was also inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999 and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in 2005. She was also awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2004. Wilson continued to perform and record music until her death on December 13, 2018, at the age of 81. She left behind a legacy as a talented and influential musician who blended genres and inspired generations of artists.

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