Nancy Reed

Vocalist and bassist Nancy Reed was born in Brooklyn to Marcus Wilbun, a jazz and classical pianist who sat in at the historic Minton's jam sessions in Harlem in the 1940's and Lillie Wilbun, who sang opera.

Nancy has performed for the last thirty five years in a wide variety of settings. Artistically consistent and always the consummate professional, Nancy has performed in Japan with the Nancy Reed Jazz Show, Mexico's Cancun Jazz Festival with the Nancy and Spencer Reed Sextet, has over thirty annual appearances at the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts Jazz Festival and performed at countless private and club engagements in northeast Pennsylvania where she resides.

Ms. Reed's most advernturous project to date is the recording, Neighbors, a collaboration with reknown saxophonist David Liebman. This critically acclaimed album features Phil Markowitz on piano, drummer Bill Goodwin and bassist Steve Gilmore (the latter two from the Phil Woods Quartet).

Nancy is honored to have a long time association with pianist John Coates. Their collaboration has resulted in their recording John Coates,Jr. and Nancy Reed at the Deer Head Inn soon to be rereleased on Vectordisc Records.

Nancy has recorded two albums with Duke Ellington's grandson Edward Ellington II with the Duke Ellington Legacy Band. Both recordings feature the venerable Norman Simmons on piano.

One of Nancy's favorite incarnations is her trio with two of NYC finest musicians, Jim Ridl on piano and Steve Varner on bass. They have packed the house at Kitano in NY and several times at Nancy's musical home, the Deer Head Inn.

Nancy has recorded seven albums, singing and playing bass with her husband, guitarist Spencer Reed, the latest of which is Blue Sunrise.

Sometimes Nancy is a Bobette, singing back up for jazz legend pianist Bob Dorough first, on his album This Is A Recording and also on several School House Rock educational cartoons. You can even hear Nancy as the voice of a Polar Bear "cub" reporter on School House Rock Earth.

In 1999 Nancy toured ten cities in Northern Italy with pianist, David Leonhardt with whom she has also recorded five albums, A Time For Love, Plays Gershwin, Jazz For Kids, I'll Be Home For Christmas, and Tribute To Cole Porter.

Nancy has recorded as special guest on Philadelphia's own, tenor saxophonist, Larry McKenna's Profiles, on Nellie McKay's pop hit Obligatory Villagers and for Stephanie Nakasian on Bittersweet.

She has also sung and spoken on radio and television commercials.