Nancy Wilson, Toronto Metro Conference Centre, 8th January 2003

‘I arrived in Toronto a day late due to a classic cancelled flight from JFK. I had been in New York photographing McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Les Paul and The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra over the previous few days.

Nancy Wilson was guesting with The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band. This photo was taken during the first of two song.- I have never experienced before or since the extraordinary presence and stagecraft of any artist – with the possible exception of Prince. She raised the roof. She was so mesmerising, I can’t remember the first song she sang. Oh, to be 20 feet from a jazz diva in full flight… The second song was one of my favourites, ‘The Nearness if You’. I put the camera down, sat on the floor and just listened!’

Matt Phillips of Jazz Fm has written a highly informative outline of Miss Wilson's wonderful career to date. -

Nancy is one of the greats of modern jazz and popular singing. Born in 1937, she started her career as the host of a talent show, but at 17 years old began to pursue a life in teaching. This was short-lived though and she returned to singing in 1958. Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley suggested a move to New York, and she quickly found herself a recording contract with Capitol Records. Single and album success followed quickly, and between 1967 and 1968 she hosted her own successful NBC TV show. She is best known for her incendiary takes on classic songs ‘Call Me’, ‘Lush Life’, ‘Ode To Billie Joe’ and ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’.