Kim Nalley

Kim Rene Nalley (born 1969) is an American jazz and blues singer with a 3½ octave range.

Early life Raised Catholic in New Haven, Connecticut, Nalley is from a musical family that includes jazz drummer and photographer Reggie Jackson, she received piano lessons from her great-grandmother. She attended Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) in New Haven.

Career Nalley switched to jazz shortly after moving to San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s, "She studied classical music and theatre and, while attending college, she gained important experience singing in local clubs and jam sessions."

While performing weekly at the Alta Plaza, director Michael Tilson Thomas discovered Nalley, recorded her in concert, and hired her to sing a program of Gershwin tunes with the San Francisco Symphony. She began performing with the Johnny Nocturne Band, charting at No. 12 on the Gavin list and embarking on a national and international touring schedule that included the Mountain Stage. She also performed at the Teatro Zinzanni as Madame Zinzanni.

Discography

As leader Need My Sugar (CE Jazz & Blues, 2002) She Put a Spell on Me: Kim Nalley Sings Nina Simone (CE Jazz & Blues, 2006) Ballads for Billie (CE Jazz & Blues, 2006) Christmas Time Is Here (2010) Blues People (2015)

As guest With Rhoda Scott Beyond the Sea (Doodlin')