Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Sept. 20, 1984, edition 1 / Page 36
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Sweet Nancy Wilson To Perform in^kariotte By Loretta Maaago Post Staff Writer A jazz singer? A blues singer? A pop singer? Or a cabaret singer? Which one is Nancy Wilson? For this versatile entertainer you have to check all boxes. But the one descriptive term that Ms. Wilson pre fers to be called is a "songstylist.” For her that means whatever the style, as a singer she’ll be able to handle if. Ahd’she has done ' that every since her big hit -hr «ao, "Te* Me The ~ Truth.” There has never been an other career for Nancy __Wilson She has always "'wanted to be a singer. Even at the early age of four, Ms. Wilson knew that that was what she wanted to do. “As a child she took an active part in church mu sic as well as school choirs and dance bands. And at age 15, Ms. Wilson s professional career began. She had her own televi sion show, “Skyline Melody.” If If. MCI__ ir Ms. Wilson was ever to pursue another career it would have been when she enrolled at Central State College to obtain teaching credentials. But the call that Ms. Wilson was bound to answer was music and before long she had left college to join the Rusty - Bryant Band. Thbse were years of important con tacts During that time she met Cannonball Adderly and the two became friends. Adderly was im mediately interested in her career, once noting her determination and over whelming talent. It never seemed that Ms. Wilson had to really prove her singing ability even in the early stages of her career. Her talent spoke tor itself. When she moved to New York in ’59, she had her first major break in one of the local nightspots as a substitute for Irene Reid. She so overwhelmed her audience and the club own er that she was booked there on a permanent basis. But there were more im portant people to catch her act. And among those were Cannonball Addcrty's bto ager, John Levy. She re men t: “He called me the next day and tt y j demonstration recording session. Ray Bryant and I went in and recorded "Guess Who I Saw Today,” “Sometimes I*m Happy.” and two other songs. We sent them to Capitol and withia five days they called and said, 'wait until we get to New York’ and within six weeks I had all the things I wanted.” That was 20 years ago,' and magazines like - Downbeat, Playboy and Time were giving her rave reviews, calling her "one of the top singers in the country" and “both singer and storyteller.” And 20 years later, though much has changed, little has changed. "The critics are still lauding her talents. Jazz critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner applauded “her technique and taste and sass and intelligence...precise ' intuition, guts and raw con fidence ." Praise of this high caliber have sprung from the Washington Post and the Welch Daily News as well. What is so striking about Ms. Wilson is that her style is timeless. “Her vocals Tl.» Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of Charlotte. Inc 2820 South Boulevard Charlotte. N.C. 2*224 continue to embrace the s ubieties of jazz, pop, blues and soul, creating a magi cal style that is always contemporary, always classic,” It’s no wonder that after so many years, awards, accomplishments and accolades that she still possesses the same quali ties that have helped her win the hearts of millions of fans everywhere. Line tnose wno strive tor perfection intheirehosen field, Ms. Wilson has not —been content to “rest on her laurels.” And she recogniz entertainment one. That is evident in the many com munity services in which she is involved. And although her rotes include those of an enter tainer and-a- community orientcri- person, Ms. Wil son confessed that her greatest role is that of wife and mother. Married to Rev_ Wiley Burton and the mother of three-Kacy, Samantha and Sheryi-Ms. family unit is so impor tant that I always put my children before my insure that the demands of her career do not interfere with her family’s needs. ine voice o» me uirusn from Columbus", a tag lovingly placed by Ms. ’ Wilson’s long-time friend, Joe Williams, will be beard in Charlotte, Saturday, September 29, at 8 p.m. at Ovens Auditorium. This concert is being sponsored by the AflroAmerlcan Cul tural Center and WSOC at the Ovens Box Office and other- regular-ticket out lets._ _ ^TBnger Nancy Wtko.1 .Versatile entertainer 9 1 ’ I . '■rmzas'tzwjyl -,±. ^ >• y
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 20, 1984, edition 1
36
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