Live at Jazz Standard [Live]

Nancy King (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 9, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Max Jazz Records
• ASIN: B000F6ZP2M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #167,685 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"King made the crowd giddy with romance and humor...bowled them over with powerful, sophisticated scatting."

Product Description

Very few improvisers in vocal jazz have mastered the musical vocabulary like Nancy King. The same can be said for the extremely accomplished pianist Fred Hersch. After many years of circling each other, the two have finally been documented in Nancy’s new MAXJAZZ release Live at Jazz Standard. In fact, the two had never met each other before this magical night when the tapes were rolling without Nancy’s knowledge. Nothing on this disc was planned or rehearsed. These two talented artists chose songs, keys and tempos along the way, and the end result: jazz at its best.

The stage was set on Saturday, October 23rd, 2004 when Fred Hersch was concluding his second "Duo Invitation Series" at Jazz Standard in New York City, where he played with six different duo partners during the week. Fred was encouraged by Scott Morgan to fly Nancy in for the series. She had not appeared in a major New York venue in many years. Live at Jazz Standard features some wonderful standards performed by two extraordinary musicians.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Old Underrated Pros at Play, August 29, 2006

By	Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews

When I heard that Nancy King and Fred Hersch had recorded an album live, at the Jazz Standard in NYC, of piano-voice duets, I rushed out to get my copy. I expected something fantastic. But that can be a problem due to the fact that disappointment can come crashing down more easily when you have such expectations.

I am not disappointed in the least.

This c.d. confirms two major truths: First, with the passing of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter, Nancy King is the finest living scat singer in the world. Like Ms. Carter, Ms. King sounds like an instrument truly searching for the "less obvious" note that nevertheless fits in the chord. Ms. King is also a great story teller. She didn't make me forget Shirley Horn or Mark Murphy, but at times she certainly reminded me of them here.

Second, Fred Hersch truly is one of the finest piano accompanists in the world. What amazes me about him is that he sounds quite different in accompanying Nancy King than he does in accompanying Janis Siegel, and in turn those recordings sound different than how he accompanies Renee Fleming. He basically knows what works for each singer.

Here, consistently throughout he lets Ms. King take the lead in the first chorus, then gradually gets more adventurous as she scats away. Then, when he solos, he plays even more "outside" than he does ordinarily with most singers--because that's how Ms. King sings. By the time he's done, we the audience have been in for quite a ride.

In the contest of most underrated jazz singer in the world (if there is one), Nancy King now is in the lead. Hopefully, someone soon will overtake her--but that will take some doing. Meanwhile, major kudos to Maxjazz: In the last few years, they have put out superlative vocal jazz recordings with Rene Marie, Dena DeRose, Erin Bode, and now this one. More, please. RC

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nancy King- A Pleasure to Hear, August 15, 2007

By	Sylvie Azure "SylvieAW" (Capitola, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Nancy King shows how a vocalist can sing with 'in the pocket' rhythm, deep emotion, and great scatting! She improvises with incredible skill; her phrasing always within the structure of the song and her harmonic ear is flawless. This duo with pianist, Fred Hersch, is like hearing two good friends having a close and meaningful conversation. Their individual styles compliment one another perfectly. It's such a joy to hear Nancy, now on a major label, and grammy-nominated at last! This is a live recording- no overdubbing- and, having personally heard her at several live concerts, I say without reservation that this is Nancy at her best- a true jazz vocalist.

5.0 out of 5 stars Nancy..., February 23, 2008

By	John M. Carrington "jmcjazz" (Pendleton, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a singer and drummer who's had the blessing to study with Nancy and be a part of her life... recording her instructions for driving to a party across town while she was scatting to "Easy Living"... killer!...
I would only say that this lady is total music and her scatting ideas are always innovative and substantive.
She sings and scats with the authority of one who has been there from the beginning.
I hope you enjoy her.
I love her and I always will!
Thanks, Nance... for everything...