Nancy Wilson's musical talent and influence is one that has stood the test of time. Whether you know her as a singer of jazz, R&B, pop or cabaret she is one of the most lasting and excellent singers of the 20th Century. She has been described as a storyteller, a consummate actress and the complete entertainer. Her friend Joe Williams has referred to her as "The Thrush from Columbus," but her chosen title is "song styler."Wilson was born on February 20, 1937 in Chillicothe, OH. She decided that she wanted to be a singer at the age of four and started her career at the age of 15 with her own TV show "Skyline Melody." In '59 she moved to New York, and had decided that she wanted to have Capitol Records to be her label and she wanted to be represented by John Levy. Her first big break came three weeks after arriving in New York when she was asked to fill in for Irene Reid at the Blue Morocco. That gig resulted in a permanent booking.Not long after, John Levy caught her show and almost immediately set up a record demo. The demo was sent to Capitol Records and was enthusiastically accepted. Her debut single, "Guess Who I Saw Today," was an overnight success and Capitol proceeded to release five albums with her over the next two years.After a long-term foray into television during the ‘70s, Nancy returned to the music world with force. Contacting industry friendships that she had successfully maintained in her years away, Nancy worked closely with some of the big stars in the business. By the ‘90s she was known as one of the favorites among the "new adult contemporary" crowd. Early 21st Century she has recorded two albums with Ramsey Lewis for Narada and another album, R.S.V.P. in 2004. In 2005 Capitol released a three-part tribute series, celebrating her career.
