Like vocalist Carol Sloane, Nancy Harrow came up just as the music world flipped upside down. Jazz was out, rock and soul were in and that was that. But like Carol, Nancy powered forward.
In the early 1960s and again beginning in the late 1970s, Nancy recorded 16 albums with Buck Clayton, Dick Katz, Jim Hall, John Lewis, Phil Woods, Connie Kay, Gary McFarland, Frank Wess, Bob Brookmeyer, Roland Hanna and Clark Terry. Throughout this period, Nancy explored songs with a Billie Holiday lilt. [Photo above of Nancy Harrow]
In July 2024, at 94, Nancy went into Lou Holtzman's EastSide Sound in New York and recorded a new album, Second Thoughts (Benfan Music). It's wonderful. She's backed by an all-star group—Ted Rosenthal (p), Rufus Reid (b) and Dennis Mackrel (d), who also wrote the arrangements. Ted's piano accompaniment is exquisite and extraordinary.
The album features both originals and well-chosen standards, and Nancy handles them all with style. Eight of the 11 songs are by Nancy (words and music), who previously recorded them on earlier CDs.
It takes courage to record at any age, but most especially when retirement is the easier option. But that's not Nancy. She's always been a worker and lover of music.
What's more, Nancy's music lyrics have a fun feel, reminiscent of Mose Allison, Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough and Blossom Dearie. Dear Max, Life Is Short and The House on the Low Round Hill come to mind. All have a girlish feel that makes them especially engaging.
Second Thoughts is a playfully serious reminder that life is lived in stages, and if you think you have it rough now, just you wait. Hopefully this isn't a swan song album, just a seasoned pro having another go at what she loves to do most.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Nancy Harrow's Second Thoughts (Benfan) here and on streaming platforms.
FYI, Fresh Sound has Nancy's Wild Women Don't Have the Blues (1960) and You Never Know (1962) on one CD here.
JazzWax clips: Here's I Thought About You...
Here's Dear Max...
And here's The House on the Low Round Hill...
Bonus: Here's a photo of Nancy in the studio, as the clip features her singing Second Thoughts, with Ted Rosenthal accompanying on piano...
Here's Nancy with the Buck Clayton Jazz Stars in 1960, with Buck Clayton (tp, arr); Dickie Wells (tp); Tom Gwaltney (cl,as); Buddy Tate (ts); Danny Bank (bs); Dick Wellstood (p); Kenny Burrell (g); Milt Hinton (b) and Oliver Jackson (d). How's that lineup for a New York session?...
And here's Song for the Dreamer, with the Gary McFarland Orchestra, featuring Willie Dennis (tb); Phil Woods (cl); Sol Schlinger (bs); Dick Katz (p); Jim Hall (g); Tommy Williams (b); Connie Kay (d); and Gary McFarland (arr,cond)...
In the early 1960s and again beginning in the late 1970s, Nancy recorded 16 albums with Buck Clayton, Dick Katz, Jim Hall, John Lewis, Phil Woods, Connie Kay, Gary McFarland, Frank Wess, Bob Brookmeyer, Roland Hanna and Clark Terry. Throughout this period, Nancy explored songs with a Billie Holiday lilt. [Photo above of Nancy Harrow]
In July 2024, at 94, Nancy went into Lou Holtzman's EastSide Sound in New York and recorded a new album, Second Thoughts (Benfan Music). It's wonderful. She's backed by an all-star group—Ted Rosenthal (p), Rufus Reid (b) and Dennis Mackrel (d), who also wrote the arrangements. Ted's piano accompaniment is exquisite and extraordinary.
The album features both originals and well-chosen standards, and Nancy handles them all with style. Eight of the 11 songs are by Nancy (words and music), who previously recorded them on earlier CDs.
It takes courage to record at any age, but most especially when retirement is the easier option. But that's not Nancy. She's always been a worker and lover of music.
What's more, Nancy's music lyrics have a fun feel, reminiscent of Mose Allison, Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough and Blossom Dearie. Dear Max, Life Is Short and The House on the Low Round Hill come to mind. All have a girlish feel that makes them especially engaging.
Second Thoughts is a playfully serious reminder that life is lived in stages, and if you think you have it rough now, just you wait. Hopefully this isn't a swan song album, just a seasoned pro having another go at what she loves to do most.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Nancy Harrow's Second Thoughts (Benfan) here and on streaming platforms.
FYI, Fresh Sound has Nancy's Wild Women Don't Have the Blues (1960) and You Never Know (1962) on one CD here.
JazzWax clips: Here's I Thought About You...
Here's Dear Max...
And here's The House on the Low Round Hill...
Bonus: Here's a photo of Nancy in the studio, as the clip features her singing Second Thoughts, with Ted Rosenthal accompanying on piano...
Here's Nancy with the Buck Clayton Jazz Stars in 1960, with Buck Clayton (tp, arr); Dickie Wells (tp); Tom Gwaltney (cl,as); Buddy Tate (ts); Danny Bank (bs); Dick Wellstood (p); Kenny Burrell (g); Milt Hinton (b) and Oliver Jackson (d). How's that lineup for a New York session?...
And here's Song for the Dreamer, with the Gary McFarland Orchestra, featuring Willie Dennis (tb); Phil Woods (cl); Sol Schlinger (bs); Dick Katz (p); Jim Hall (g); Tommy Williams (b); Connie Kay (d); and Gary McFarland (arr,cond)...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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