Ohio native Nancy Wilson grew up surrounded by jazz, R&B and gospel, listening to Billy Eckstein, Ruth Brown, Nat King Cole, and the big band vocalists of the 40s and 50s, Jimmy Rushing (Count Basie) and Jimmy Scott (Lionel Hampton). She was singing professionally by 15 and had her own television show, and in 1956 left school to join the Rusty Bryant Band. In New York, she impressed Cannonball Adderley, with whom she was soon performing and recording. Through the 60s and 70s, Wilson was a successful pop singer as well as radio host and actress, returning to her jazz roots in the 80s and working with Hank Jones, Art Farmer, Ramsey Lewis and Toots Thielmans. In addition to hosting Jazz Profiles on NPR in the 90s, Nancy began a collaboration with the Manchester Craftsmen Guild in Pittsburgh, supporting youth education in the arts, resulting in three recordings including the latest release.

Describing herself “as a singer who chooses to sing only those songs that speak to me, that resonate with my life and feelings,” Wilson has selected songs that tell tales of love lost and found, music to which she brings a personal passion. The result is a collection of timeless songs with profound lyrics, presented as only Wilson can, with an ease of emotion that provides a doorway to her soul, inviting the listener to step in and be part of the conversation. Vocally, Wilson wears her age well, still with a great dynamic range but never pushing it, her phrasing and timing impeccable—she never wastes a note. There’s that touch of pop, a dose of soul, and she swings hard, in the groove at any tempo. The arrangements (many by co-producer/percussionist Jay Ashby) range from quartet to big band and various combinations in-between, and seem perfectly suited to Wilson and the repertoire, never overpowering the vocalist but rather enhancing the mood throughout.

Three classics from the 1940s get new arrangements, including the opening “This Is All I Ask” shiny with the voice of experience and classic Wilson nuances in phrasing. “Be My Love” has a bossa-tinged rhythm that brings this chestnut to life with an easy passion; Wilson’s signature soulful lift at the end of her phrases and Hubert Laws’ flute further set the bar higher. “I’ll be Seeing You” marks Wilson’s first collaboration with Dr. Billy Taylor and a fine display of swing at a ballad pace. Taylor’s thoughtful piano reiterates the lyric and Wilson’s trademark swoops are effectively balanced by a sympathetic string accompaniment.

Nancy Wilson © Charles Bush

New compositions include the title track, Jay Ashby’s musical rendition of “My Life Has Turned to Blue” by Maya Angelou. Moody and tribal, the music serves the poetry well. “I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up” (by Artie Butler) is a swingy reminiscence listing things one wants out of life, enlivened by Andy Narell’s steel pans and Rufus Reid’s bossa-tinged bass. One of several short tracks (under 4 minutes), “Knitting Class” (by Bryce Rohde/K.Lawrence Dunham) is a like a soundtrack tune from a musical, with Wilson the consummate storyteller, a cool musing supported by the great veteran tenor soloist, Jimmy Heath. If there is a slow dance track, it is “These Golden Years” (John Proulx/D. Channish Berry), another opportunity for Wilson’s vocal reminiscing highlighting her amazing phrasing as she sings her life story. The longest track on the CD at just over six minutes, time is well filled by Tom Scott’s sax solo.

“Just Once” (Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill) lacks the punch of the other tracks but has its own appeal. Wilson sings over John Clayton’s fine bass solo on the first chorus, with Dave Samuels adding subtle vibes. The overall effect is rather jerky but the R&B flavoring saves the day. Here Wilson seems to recall Roberta Flack or Dionne Warwick, but the song never seems to settle in the groove. Even the additional percussion doesn’t give enough bottom to push the rhythm. Her voice always appealing, Wilson can get away with this “Just Once” on this recording!

Three big band arrangements are the showpieces of the set: Ellington’s “Take Love Easy” shows off the many talents of the “All Star Band”, swinging without overpowering and flying with young trumpet sensation Sean Jones. The Vernon Duke standard, “Taking a Chance On Love” is a relatively up-tempo track featuring the great James Moody on tenor and an effective change in rhythm on the last chorus. And if any one tune is the quintessential track, it’s the seldom sung, big band arrangement of “Old Folks,” brimming with Wilson’s all-knowing phrasing and timing as well as Andy Snitzer’s complimentary tenor.

Wilson’s mature voice still carries the energy and nuance that brought her into the public spotlight during her days with Cannonball Adderley. Turned to Blue has wide appeal, lots of swing, and above all, lots of Nancy Wilson. The 2007 Grammies may not be far behind.

For information and performance schedule for Nancy Wilson, visit www.missnancywilson.com. Co-author Vicky Mountain is a Twin Cities’ vocalist and instructor at the MacPhail Center for Music www.vickymountain.com