About Nancy

With a voice that is delectably nuanced, flowing, and fluid, Nancy interprets and shares her music with captivating honesty, in a style that is hers and hers alone. Lush evocative vocals, heartfelt interpretation, and creative improvisation define Nancy’s performances.  As a Vancouver, BC based jazz vocalist and songwriter, Nancy Newman’s voice shines across the borders of jazz, pop, and originals.

Prior to becoming a jazz vocalist, Nancy went to San Diego State University for her Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counselling Degree.  She held positions as a Senior Rehabilitation Consultant, Rehabilitation Counsellor and College Counsellor and then paused her counselling career to raise her three young sons.  It was then that Nancy joined a choir and started performing solo in choral and small ensemble performances. Having grown up in a musical family and with a passion for singing, Nancy seized the opportunity to immerse herself in the study of vocal music: classical, popular, theatre, and ultimately jazz. She studied Jazz and Contemporary Voice at Vancouver Community College, singing lead vocals with the VCC Latin Jazz Ensemble and VCC Classic Jazz Band.

Contact Nancy

Musical Collaborations 

Nancy has performed with some of Canada’s finest musicians including:  Grammy Nominated and Juno Award Winning Michael Creber, Miles Black, Jennifer Scott, Rene Worst, Tom Keenlyside, Karen Graves, Paul Blaney, Jody Proznick, Buff Allen, Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, and Craig Scott.  Nancy’s jazz stylings are influenced by the legendary jazz masters with whom she has studied, notably:  Sheila Jordan, Nancy King, Mark Murphy, Jay Clayton, Jennifer Scott, Greta Matassa, and Kate Hammett Vaughan. 

Venues and Events 

Nancy’s voice has been featured at prominent Vancouver venues including: The Norman Rothstein Theatre, The Cultch Historic Theatre, The Orpheum Theatre, Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery, St James Hall, Rossini’s Jazz Club, The Cellar, Frankie’s Jazz Club, Pat’s Pub Jazz Series, The Sylvia, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Nancy has also sung at international venues in France, The Harlem Jazz Club in Barcelona and Tula’s in Seattle, USA.    

Events in which Nancy’s music has been showcased include Chutzpah! (2003), Festival Vancouver ~Inside The Music Series, Port Townsend Centrum Jazz, Richmond Heritage Week Exposition, Dixon Divas (2017), Strong Women Strong Music (2019), Ladies of Jazz (2019), Music, Poetry, & Word Whip (music inspired by Glimpses of Africa Exhibit 2012) Jazz Evensong, Jazz Vespers in the Valley, and St. Andrews Wesley Jazz Vespers. 

Nancy has headlined numerous fundraising events such as: Own A Piece of the Magic (children’s book art fundraiser at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, 2008), Walk The Read (Children’s Literacy fundraiser at Lexus Showroom), Suicide Prevention (Harley Davidson Showroom), Heavenly Waves (benefit for Darfur 2005), and A is for Africa (2017). 

Self-Produced Concerts 

With a flair for exploring musical themes, Nancy has self produced numerous concept based concerts including:  the “First Saturday Sessions” series at The Kino, and many events at Cottage Bistro such as: “Wildflower ~ Pop Hits Of The Past”, “Northern Night”, “Swing Into Summer”, and “Songs of the Sixties”. 

Third Thursday ~ Vocal Jazz Jam 

Since 2014, Nancy Newman has organized and hosted “Third Thursday ~ Vocal Jazz Jam”, a popular monthly event which affords vocalists an opportunity to hone their performance skills and refine new repertoire in a supportive musical community. 

RECORDINGS 

  • Palace Of The Moon: Teaming up with Grammy nominated producer/pianist Michael Creber, Nancy created her first album, ”Palace Of The Moon”.  This premier collection of original songs received a standing ovation at Nancy’s sold out CD release concert at the Cultch Historic Theatre on October 13, 2012.  All songs were recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, with Micheal Creber (piano), Rene Worst (bass), Buff Allen (drums), Tom Keenlyside (sax/flute), and Robbie Steininger (guitar).  The song narratives were drawn from Nancy’s previous experience as a Rehabilitation Counsellor and reflect her fascination with human resilience. 
  • You Never Know: Nancy’s second album, “You Never Know”, dedicated to Nancy’s three sons, was recorded at the Armoury Studios and released in 2012, The title song is an original ballad about what happens once we let go of our expectations: “Why settle for your dreams when something more special is round the corner.” This collection of jazz standards and pop covers includes Nancy’s uptempo latin version of “Nature Boy”, a refreshing take on an old favourite.  There’s also a swinging version of “That’s All”, the whimsical jazz waltz “Alice In Wonderland”, and two captivating jazz ballads, “My Funny Valentine” and “Moon River”.   Nancy shares her fun take on pop song “Love Potion #9, and heartfelt versions of two pop ballads “Wildflower” and “Song of Bernadette”. 
  • DREAM: Nancy’s third album (coming in March, 2023).  Focusing on the realm of dreams with compelling intimate vocals, DREAM is a jazz journey of inspiration, hope, and mystery.  Nancy’s passion for dreams rises from a lifelong exploration of her own dreams as well as her therapeutic use of dreams as a Rehabilitation Counsellor. ‘Dream’ celebrates two types of dreams: 1) conscious dreams which inspire hope and 2) dreams from the sleeping state which hold keys to self understanding. DREAM is produced by Nancy Newman, featuring Jennifer Scott (keys), Rene Worst (bass), Buff Allen (drums), and Bill Buckingham (co production/synth/drums/mastering). 
  • Quiet Corner ~ Little Peace Piece (2019): Nancy’s recording of “Alice in Wonderland” is featured on a Japanese compilation album called “Quiet Corner ~ Little Peace Piece” alongside works of other world artists and was released in January 2019. 
  • Shiron Singers In Concert (2003): This concert album, a legacy project and tribute to its conductor Elizabeth Wolak, was produced by Nancy Newman. 
  • Joyful Noise ~ Universal Gospel Choir (2004): Nancy is featured as a soloist with the Universal Gospel Choir
“”Nancy sounds like no one else. And in a jazz world of copycat singers and sound alikes, this is high praise.” ” - Greta Matassa - Jazz Singer/Coach/Earshot Jazz Hall of Fame