Nancy Snatra

Diva Nancy Wilson was among contemporary music's most stylish and sultry vocalists; while often crossing over into the pop and R&B markets – and even hosting her own television variety program – she remained best known as a jazz performer, renowned for her work alongside figures including Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing. Born February 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio, Wilson first attracted notice performing the club circuit in nearby Columbus; she quickly earned a growing reputation among jazz players and fans, and she was recording regularly by the late '50s, eventually signing to Capitol and issuing LPs including 1959's Like in Love and Nancy Wilson with Billy May's Orchestra. Her dates with Shearing, including 1960's The Swingin's Mutual, solidified her standing as a talent on the rise, and her subsequent work with Adderley – arguably her finest recordings – further cemented her growing fame and reputation. In the years to follow, however, Wilson often moved away from jazz, much to the chagrin of purists; she made numerous albums, many of them properly categorized as pop and R&B outings, and toured extensively, appearing with everyone from Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan to Ruth Brown and LaVern Baker.

The career of Nancy Wilson has been compiled many times and in many ways, but never like this. Focusing in-depth on her Capitol recordings during the 15 years of her prime, this three-disc set is a wonderful collection for those who appreciate Wilson's ability to combine Broadway power and finesse with jazz rhythm (and a certain degree of improvisation). While the complete record of her '60s and '70s work would require at least a dozen discs she recorded more than 30 original albums between 1960 and 1976 alone the compilers chose these 71 performances with care. They show her excelling in any format, whether small-group or big-band or strings; singing America's greatest show tunes or pop songs of the day; and thriving whether in the controlled confines of a studio or the freewheeling atmosphere of the Cocoanut Grove. (The latter was the place where her 1964 appearances earned her a nationwide profile, and several performances from her accompanying 1965 album finally appear on CD here.) She also worked with superior musicians, including George Shearing, Cannonball Adderley, Billy May, Oliver Nelson, and Gerald Wilson, among others. While some of Wilson's best peers (Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone) could have been expected to deliver as much excellent material during relatively short periods of their careers, The Very Best of Nancy Wilson: The Capitol Recordings 1960-1976 should stand as a revelation to fans of the pop and soul end of vocal jazz.

As the eldest daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy was born into the spotlight. At 19, she made her professional debut in front of millions of Americans, appearing alongside her father and Elvis Presley on the television special Welcome Home Elvis.

Like in Love! is the debut album by the American vocalist Nancy Wilson, it was released in April 1960 by Capitol Records, and arranged by Billy May.

In 1967, Nancy Sinatra would continue her artistic ascent into the pop stratosphere with the James Bond You Only Live Twice theme song, the groovy technicolor television special, Movin' With Nancy, recording one of the most beloved duets of all time, "Some Velvet Morning," and a cross-country pilgrimage to the center of the country music scene.

Nancy Vieira's clear and direct voice tells of the stories, dreams and longings, pains and joys of the people of Cape Verde. People all over the world fall into reverent silence when her voice captivates an entire country.