Jim Clark "JAZZ NIGHTLY" South Dakota Public Radio lists Nancy’s cd  “B That Way” as one of the 50 best jazz cd's of 2014 . He is quoted as saying " Nancy is one of the premiere female jazz vocalist of our times”.

 

''An exceptionally gifted jazz singer.''

Bruce Crowther Jazz Mostly

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"Nancy Kelly can easily break hearts and burn down barns. Fire! " Frank De Blase  City Newspaper  

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“The album makes clear that you're the real thing, and in an age of too many jazz-vocal poseurs, that's pretty damned refreshing.”-

Neil Tesser

  

"Nancy is, without a doubt, one of the  BEST singers in the world. Hers should be a household name"

Scott Elias, Random Act Records

 

 “This chanteuse puts a hammer lock on the listener ! From the first perfectly pitched note, she lets you know that she’s more than just another vocalist—she’s an instrument. Here is a true jazz singer for your listening pleasure". 

 DeeDee McNeil, L.A.Jazz

 

“Kelly creates her own universe of swing, executed with nuclear cool.”

C Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

 

"She has a voice that hints of worldly experience, and sings with the attitude of a lady who knows exactly what each lyric is attempting to convey."

 Joe Lang Jersey Jazz

 

“Female Jazz singers are everywhere today and the label does not always match the product. Kelly is a notable exception. You can bet the farm you won’t regret seeing and hearing exceptionally gifted jazz singer.” -Bruce Crowther  Jazz Journal

 

“Kelly creates her own universe of swing, executed with nuclear cool.”

C Michael Bailey, All About Jazz

 

“Nancy just dazzles on her wildly musical vocals. Nancy’s ballad singing is brilliantly delicate.”  Dan Singer  In Tune International

 

"Nancy Kelly is the Anita O'Day of today.” Mark Murphy

 

Readers polls voted Nancy one of the top Jazz singers in the country 2 years in a row!  Downbeat

 

"A Supernova On Earth:"If swing was gold, Nancy Kelly would be the richest woman on earth" John Gilbert, EJazz news

 

“Singer Nancy Kelly's vibrant, rhythm-driven vocals have precisely the right combination of good-time energy, imaginative scatting and take-no-prisoners swing.”Don Heckman, L.A. Times

 

“Killin'.You so get it.”  Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Lincoln Center, New York

 

"She remains head and shoulders among many in the crowded field of female jazz vocalists."Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

 

"A perennial festival favorite since 1982 “Kelly is a world-class jazz singer in the feisty, swinging tradition of Anita O’Day. Throughout her scintillating set, she demonstrated superb phrasing, excellent time, great intonation and tons of chops, with a load of charisma to boot.“Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes

 

“Singer Nancy Kelly's vibrant, rhythm-driven vocals have precisely the right combination of good-time energy, imaginative scatting and take-no-prisoners swing.”Don Heckman, L.A. Times

 

“NANCY KELLY is a REAL jazz singer. She swings, she reconceives melodies, she phrases like an instrumentalist and, by the way, she is hip."

Dick Bogle, Jazz Programmer/Writer

 

"The Jazz Capitol of the World" with Carla Lilien, a long time Jazz Broadcaster from NYC "Nancy Kelly is still the best female jazz vocalist out there! Nobody compares with her and hasn't in years! ❤️."​

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"I've wanted to tell you ever since I saw you at the Rochester Intl. Jazz Fest. how much I was blown away by your set at the Wilder Room . As usual you had wonderful top notch musicians. Some of the tunes I remember you doing and things you said still remain in my memory. Like--"Has anyone heard Eddie Jefferson?" and how you got into bebop (Boplicity). At one point you stopped and said "You're so quiet". That's because people were so taken by your performance!"  Audience Member Tom. 2024