Home >  A & E

Monday, November 12, 2001

By Nate Guidry, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Nancy Wilson has the stuff all great jazz vocalists need: timing, intonation, dynamics and a richly expressive voice.

	Nancy Wilson dedicated her performance to her husband, Wiley Burton, who grew up in Pittsburgh. (John Heller, Post-Gazette)

Performing with Sherrie Miracle and Diva All Women Big Band Saturday night at the Manchester Craftmen's Guild, Wilson delivered songs with so much passion, its hard to imagine jazz singing could be in better hands.

The concert was part of the Guild's 15th-anniversary celebration and featured songs that transcended the boundaries of time, including songs from her "Nancy Wilson Christmas." The album was recorded at the Guild last year, and proceeds from it will be placed in a jazz endowment.

Earlier in the evening, more than 375 guest were treated to a champagne reception, dinner and music with flautist Herbie Mann and local musicians.

But Wilson was the evening's highlight. She dedicated the concert to her husband, Wiley Burton, who grew up in Pittsburgh, and made sentimental comments about her two young grandchildren. She opened with "Strike Up the Band" and a wonderful arrangement of "All of Me" which featured tight ensemble playing for the group. Wilson sang "Love Nancy" and "Satin Doll" with a well-defined jazz artistry and reached an equipoise of emotional depth on "Make You Love Me." Lyrically, the song conveys a broad social and cultural message and challenges us to develop our inner self.

At the midway point, Mann and guitarist Marty Ashby made a strong impression on "White Christmas," providing it with a nice dose of bossa nova.

But there were moments of extraordinary repose, especially when Wilson invited us into her living room for a recital of "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow!", providing the song with soulful soft improvisations.