Nancy King, Revered Jazz Singer Who Shunned Fame, Dies at 85
Nancy King, a celebrated yet often overlooked jazz vocalist admired by fellow musicians and devoted fans, has died at 85.
According to The New York Times, She passed away on August 5 at a care facility in Portland, Oregon, from breast cancer, her close friend, jazz bassist Ed Bennett, confirmed.
Though she never became a household name, King was regarded as one of the finest jazz singers of her generation. Known for her improvisational mastery and striking vocal range, she brought a sense of spontaneity and authenticity to every performance. Her set lists were often decided hours before a show, and she frequently slipped between lyrics and scat with effortless control.
Guitarist Herb Ellis once called her “the greatest living jazz singer.”
Born Nancy Ellen Whalley on June 15, 1940, in Springfield, Oregon, King grew up in a deeply musical household. Inspired as a teenager after seeing Ella Fitzgerald perform, she pursued jazz passionately. She left the University of Oregon after her first year and soon found herself performing in San Francisco’s vibrant jazz clubs. There, she joined saxophonist Sonny King’s band, later taking his surname.
The couple had three sons before parting ways.
Throughout her six-decade career, King performed with jazz luminaries including Vince Guaraldi, Steve Christofferson, and Glen Moore. While she turned down numerous recording contracts—unwilling to compromise her artistry for commercial demands—she eventually released a handful of critically acclaimed albums.
Her collaborations with pianist Fred Hersch (Live at Jazz Standard, 2006) and pianist Randy Porter (Porter Plays Porter, 2017) each earned Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Despite her acclaim, King deliberately kept a low profile, preferring intimate performances over mainstream fame. “I wouldn’t have traded it for anything,” she once said of her career. “If I had to do it all again, I would — for my music. I’ve not sold out.”
Nancy King is survived by her son Thomas and three grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sons Joel and James.
