Biography

NANCY MARANO

. . .  Has been lauded as a distinctive musical talent in a New Yorker profile by Whitney Balliett.  She has also been profiled by Billy Taylor and Charles Kurault on the exalted CBS Sunday Morning TV program, The Wall Street Journal, Jazz Improv Magazine, and by NPR “Crossover” in two one-hour broadcasts featuring her recordings and interviews.

. . . Named Top 4 Jazz Vocalists of the Year by IAJE Journal’s Dr. Herb Wong, following the release of her critically acclaimed recording with the 62-piece Netherlands Metropole Orchestra, entitled If You Could See Us Now!  which featured the arrangements of Manny Albam.

. . .  Seven CDs to date as leader, and two as guests of Benny Carter, The Benny Carter Songbooks, Volumes I and II, and Dick Hyman Swing Is Here.  The latter was included in the film soundtrack Two Weeks Notice. She has recorded with Gerry Mulligan, Michel Legrand, Michael Abene,Grady Tate, Claudio Roditi, Frank Wess, and Roger Kellaway.

. . . Concerts at North Sea Jazz, Sea Jazz in Helsinki, and Marca Jazz in Italy.  In New York City, JVC, and Charlie Parker Festival with Benny Carter.  Performances at The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, Norway Floating Jazz Festival, IAJE, Women In Jazz, Absolute Grappelli, Henry Mancini Institute Big Band, and The Alec Wilder Festival, NYC, 2003.  Guest soloist with the Radio Big Band of Slovenia, and the WDR Radio Big Band of Koln, Germany in several concerts with composer/arranger Michael Abene.

. . . Latest recording, You’re Nearer is on the Munich Records label, was recorded in Holland with the Rob van Bavel Trio and some of the finest musicians in The Netherlands.  It is currently available in the USA, Canada and Internationally and features the multi-faceted singer’s talents as vocalist, pianist, and arranger.

. . . Vocal Editor of the Bill Evans Fakebooks, Volumes I and II.

. . .  A most sought-after clinician internationally, having taught in Artist in Residency capacity at the Conservatories of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and  2000-2003 in the Summer Jazz Workshop of Amsterdam Conservatory. She has given Master Classes in Delft and Arnhem in Holland and also in  Slovenia and Germany. She is currently a Voice Panelist and Adjudicator for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.  Nancy has appeared with Barry Harris in several concerts at New York City’s Town Hall in Barry’s The Family Jazz Series.  Nancy has been a member of the jazz faculty of Manhattan School of Music for 16 years, and William Paterson University for 8 years.  (private lessons, ensembles, sight-singing, and jazz choir).

. . . Teaches privately in her studio.  Nancy also conducts frequent Vocal Performance workshop classes in New York City, called Sessions in Song and Swing.  She also teaches classes focusing on Sight-Singing, Harmonic Study, Rhythm Drills, and Theory, called Musicianship for the Jazz Vocalist.  Nancy will soon be publishing her first methods book of the same title.