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Ray Willis Nance (December 10, 1913 – January 28, 1976) was an American
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
trumpeter The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz musical ensemble, ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest Register (music), register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitche ...
,
violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...
ist and singer. He is best remembered for his long association with
Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...
and his orchestra.


Early years

Nance was born in
Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
on December 10, 1913. He started playing the violin at the age of 9 and was so proficient by the time he was 14 that he enrolled at the Chicago College of Music. In high school, he taught himself trumpet because “I wanted to hear myself on a louder instrument in way I couldn't do with a violin in an orchestra.” He was the leader of his own band in Chicago from 1932 to 1937. An ad in a June 1933 prom book at the Edgewater Beach Hotel for the Staples Cafe, 6344 N. Broadway, Chicago shows "Ray Nance and His Ebony Aces." Then, he worked with
Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...
from 1937 to 1939; and from 1939 to 1940 he worked with
Horace Henderson Horace W. Henderson (November 22, 1904 – August 29, 1988), the younger brother of Fletcher Henderson, was an American jazz pianist, organist, arranger, and bandleader. Henderson was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, United States. While later at ...
.


Ellington tenure

Ellington hired Nance to replace trumpeter
Cootie Williams Charles Melvin "Cootie" Williams (July 10, 1911 – September 15, 1985) was an American jazz, jump blues, and rhythm and blues trumpeter. Biography Born in Mobile, Alabama, Williams began his professional career at the age of 14 with the Yo ...
, who had joined
Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader, known as the "King of Swing". His orchestra did well commercially. From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing bi ...
, in 1940. Nance's first recorded performance with Ellington was at the Fargo, North Dakota ballroom dance. Shortly after joining the band, Nance was given the trumpet solo on the earliest recorded version of "
Take the "A" Train "Take the 'A' Train" is a jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra. In 1976, the 1941 recording by Duke Ellington on Victor Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. History The u ...
", which became the Ellington theme. Nance's "A Train" solo is one of the most copied and admired trumpet solos in jazz history. Indeed, when Cootie Williams returned to the band more than twenty years later, he would play Nance's solo on "A Train" almost exactly as the original. Nance was often featured on violin, and was the only violin soloist ever featured in Ellington's orchestra (especially noteworthy is his violin contribution to the original 1942 version of "The 'C' Jam Blues"). He is also one of the better known male vocalists associated with Ellington's orchestra. On later recordings of "
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" is a 1931 composition by Duke Ellington with lyrics by Bubber Miley, first published by Irving Mills. It is now accepted as a jazz standard, and jazz historian Gunther Schuller characterized i ...
", Nance took the previously instrumental horn riff into the lead vocal, which constitute the line "Doo wha, doo wha, doo wha, doo wha, yeah!" He was often featured as vocalist on "Jump for Joy," "
Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" is a 1941 song written by Billy Strayhorn and Lee Gaines. Notable recordings * Johnny Dankworth - ''The Best of Johnny Dankworth'' (2008) *June Christy - '' Recalls Those Kenton Days'' (1959), ''The Best Of The Cap ...
" and "
Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me) "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" is a 1941 popular song composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Lee Gaines. The song has been recorded numerous times by a number of artists in the years since, having become a jazz standard. Hit rec ...
". His multiple talents (trumpet, violin, vocals and also dancing) earned him the nickname "Floorshow". Nance was absent from the Duke Ellington Orchestra for three or four months in 1946, including the date of that year's Carnegie Hall concert. In 1949, Nance participated, along with Ellington sidemen
Russell Procope Russell Keith Procope (August 11, 1908 – January 21, 1981) was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Before Ellington Procope was born in New York City, United States, and grew up in ...
,
Johnny Hodges Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on sop ...
and
Sonny Greer William Alexander "Sonny" Greer (December 13, – March 23, 1982) was an American jazz drummer and vocalist, best known for his work with Duke Ellington. Early life and career Greer was born in Long Branch, New Jersey. There has been long-sta ...
on several
Ivory Joe Hunter Ivory Joe Hunter (October 10, 1914 – November 8, 1974) was an American rhythm-and-blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid-1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recordi ...
sessions, for King Records of Cincinnati.


Post-Ellington years

He left Ellington in 1963 during their Middle East tour after having played alongside his returned predecessor Cootie Williams for a year. He continued to make several guest appearances in the orchestra over the years and later toured and recorded in
England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
in 1974. Nance made a few recordings as a bandleader, and also recorded or performed with
Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...
,
Rosemary Clooney Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccin ...
,
Jaki Byard John Arthur "Jaki" Byard (; June 15, 1922 – February 11, 1999) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. Mainly a pianist, he also played tenor and alto saxophones, among several other instruments. He was known for h ...
,
Chico Hamilton Foreststorn "Chico" Hamilton (September 20, 1921 – November 25, 2013) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He came to prominence as sideman for Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Count Basie, and Lena Horne. Hamilton became a bandleader, f ...
and others.


Discography


As leader

* ''Ellingtonia'' (Wynne, 1959) * ''A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing '' ( Parker Records, 1959) * '' Body and Soul'' ( Solid State, 1970) * ''Huffin' 'n' Puffin' '' ( MPS, 1974)


As sideman

With
Ahmed Abdul-Malik Ahmed Abdul-Malik (born Jonathan Tim Jr.; January 30, 1927 – October 2, 1993) was an American jazz double bassist and oud player. Abdul-Malik is remembered for integrating Middle Eastern and North African music styles in his jazz music.Kelsey ...
* '' Spellbound'' (Status, 1964) With
Jaki Byard John Arthur "Jaki" Byard (; June 15, 1922 – February 11, 1999) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. Mainly a pianist, he also played tenor and alto saxophones, among several other instruments. He was known for h ...
*'' Jaki Byard with Strings!'' (Prestige, 1968) With
Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...
* '' The Duke at Fargo, 1940: Special 60th Anniversary Edition'' ( Storyville, 1940 performance) * ''Duke Ellington and His Great Vocalists'' (Sony, c. 1940s) * ''Cabin in the Sky Soundtrack'' (
Rhino A rhinoceros ( ; ; ; : rhinoceros or rhinoceroses), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant taxon, extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates (perissodactyls) in the family (biology), famil ...
, 1942 performance) * ''Indispensable Duke Ellington, Vol. 11–12 (1944–1946)'' (RCA, 1944–1946 performances) or ''The Best of the Complete Duke Ellington RCA Recordings, 1944–1946)'' (
RCA RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded in 1919 as the Radio Corporation of America. It was initially a patent pool, patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghou ...
, 1944–1946 performances) * ''
Ellington Uptown ''Ellington Uptown'' (also released as ''Hi-Fi Ellington Uptown'') is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded for the Columbia label in 1951 and 1952.
'' (includes Harlem Suite, Controversial Suite, Liberian Suite) (Columbia, 1947, 1951, 1952 performances) * ''
Masterpieces by Ellington ''Masterpieces by Ellington'' is the first LP album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded for the Columbia label in 1950.
'' (Columbia, 1950, 1951 performances) * ''
Ellington '55 ''Ellington '55'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Capitol label in 1953 and 1954 and released in 1955. The album features the Ellington Orchestra's performances of popular big band composi ...
'' (Capitol, 1955) or ''Jazz Profile'' (Blue Note, 1950s, 1960s performances) * ''
A Drum Is a Woman ''A Drum Is a Woman'' is a musical allegory by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington and his long-time musical collaborator Billy Strayhorn. It tells the story of Madam Zajj, the personification of African rhythm, and Carribee ...
'' (Columbia, 1956) * ''
Blue Rose A blue rose is a flower of the genus ''Rosa'' (family Rosaceae) that presents blue-to-violet pigmentation instead of the more common red, white, or yellow, through use of artificial means such as dyes. Blue roses are often used to symbolize myst ...
'' (With Rosemary Clooney) (1956) * '' Historically Speaking'' (1956) * ''
Ellington at Newport ''Ellington at Newport'' is a 1956 live jazz album by Duke Ellington and his band of their 1956 concert at the Newport Jazz Festival, a concert which revitalized Ellington's flagging career. Jazz promoter George Wein describes the 1956 concert ...
'' (Columbia, 1956) * ''
Such Sweet Thunder ''Such Sweet Thunder'' is a Duke Ellington album, released in 1957. The record is a twelve-part suite based on the work of William Shakespeare. Background In August 1956, Duke Ellington and his orchestra were in Canada, performing in the same c ...
'' (Columbia, 1957) * ''
All Star Road Band ''All Star Road Band'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded at Sunset Ballroom in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania for radio broadcast and first released as a double LP on Bob Thiele's Doctor Jazz label ...
'' (Doctor Jazz, 1957
983 Year 983 ( CMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Diet of Verona: Emperor Otto II (the Red) declares war against the Byzantine Empire and the Emirate of Sicily ...
* ''
Black, Brown and Beige ''Black, Brown and Beige'' is an extended jazz work written by Duke Ellington for his first concert at Carnegie Hall, on January 23, 1943. It tells the history of African Americans and was the composer's attempt to transform attitudes about race, ...
'' (Columbia, 1958) * '' Live at the Blue Note'' (1958) * ''
Newport 1958 ''Newport 1958'' is a 1958 album by Duke Ellington, recorded at the Newport Jazz Festival of that year and later in the Columbia recording studio. It was released two years after '' Ellington at Newport'', the 1956 album that led to Ellington's ...
'' (Columbia, 1958) * '' Festival Session'' (Coilumbia, 1959) * ''
Blues in Orbit ''Blues in Orbit'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1959 and released in 1960.
'' (Columbia, 1959) * ''
Anatomy of a Murder ''Anatomy of a Murder'' is a 1959 American legal drama film produced and directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by Wendell Mayes was based on the 1958 novel of the same name written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker under ...
'' (Columbia, 1959) * ''
Jazz Party ''Jazz Party'' is a 1959 album by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra which contains a "formidable gallery of jazz stars" guesting, including Dizzy Gillespie and Jimmy Rushing (formerly the vocalist for Count Basie). It featured also a 9-strong pe ...
'' (Columbia, 1959) * '' Piano in the Background'' (Columbia, 1960) *''
Hot Summer Dance ''Hot Summer Dance'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded at Mather Air Force Base in California and first released as a CD on Bob Thiele's Red Baron label in 1983.
'' (Red Baron, 1960
991 Year 991 (Roman numerals, CMXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. Events * March 1: In Rouen, Pope John XV ratifies the first Peace and Truce of God, Truce of God, between Æthelred the Unready and Richard I o ...
* ''
The Nutcracker Suite ''The Nutcracker'' (, ), Op. 71, is an 1892 two-act classical ballet (conceived as a '; ) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set on Christmas Eve at the foot of a Christmas tree in a child's imagination featuring a Nutcracker doll. The plot is a ...
'' (Columbia, 1960) * '' Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.'' (1960) (Peer Gynt Suite/Suite Thursday) * ''
First Time! The Count Meets the Duke ''First Time! The Count Meets the Duke'' is an album by American pianists, composers and bandleaders Duke Ellington and Count Basie with their combined Orchestras recorded and released on the Columbia label in 1961. On stereo releases of the a ...
'' (Columbia, 1961) * '' All American in Jazz'' (Columbia, 1962) * ''
Midnight in Paris ''Midnight in Paris'' is a 2011 fantasy comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen. Set in Paris, the film follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter and aspiring novelist, who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationsh ...
'' (Columbia, 1962) * ''
Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins ''Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins'' is a jazz album by Duke Ellington and Coleman Hawkins that was recorded on August 18, 1962, and released in February 1963 by Impulse! Records. In 1995, ''The New York Times'' called it "one of the great ...
'' (Impulse!, 1962) * ''
The Great Paris Concert ''The Great Paris Concert'' is a 1973 live double album by jazz pianist Duke Ellington preserving pieces of a series of performances given in Paris during February 1963, a decade prior the release. For the 1989 CD reissue, 10 additional recordi ...
'' (Atlantic, 1963) * ''
Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session ''Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1963 but not released on the Atlantic label until 1976.
'' (Atlantic, 1963) * '' My People'' (1963) * '' Afro-Bossa'' (Reprise, 1963) * '' The Symphonic Ellington'' (1963) * ''
Ellington '66 ''Ellington '66'' is an album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington that was recorded and released on the Reprise label in 1965.Concert in the Virgin Islands ''Concert in the Virgin Islands'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Reprise Records, Reprise label in 1965.
'' (1966) * '' In the Uncommon Market'' (1966) With
Horace Henderson Horace W. Henderson (November 22, 1904 – August 29, 1988), the younger brother of Fletcher Henderson, was an American jazz pianist, organist, arranger, and bandleader. Henderson was born in Cuthbert, Georgia, United States. While later at ...
* ''Horace Henderson 1940, Fletcher Henderson 1941'' (Classics, 1992) With
Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...
* ''Rosetta'' (Jazz Archives, 1937–1939 selections) * ''1937–1939'' (Classics, 1937–1939 performances) * ''Harlem Lament'' (Sony, 1937–1938 selections featuring Nance) * ''Piano Man!'' ( ASV, includes c. 1937–1939 RCA selections) * ''Earl Hines and the Duke's Men'' ( Delmark, 1944–1947 performances) * ''1942–1945'' (Classics, 1942–1945) With
Johnny Hodges Johnny Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on sop ...
*''
Ellingtonia '56 ''Ellingtonia '56'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances with members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra recorded in 1956 and released on the Norgran label.Norgran, 1956) *''
Duke's in Bed ''Duke's in Bed'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges with members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Verve label.
'' (Verve, 1956) *'' The Big Sound'' (Verve, 1957) *''
Not So Dukish ''Not So Dukish'' is an album recorded by American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges featuring performances recorded in 1958 and released on the Verve Records, Verve label.
'' (Verve, 1958) *''
Triple Play In baseball or softball, a triple play (denoted as TP in baseball statistics) is the act of making three out (baseball), outs during the same play. There have only been 739 triple plays in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1876, an average of ju ...
'' (RCA Victor, 1967) With
Budd Johnson Albert J. "Budd" Johnson III (December 14, 1910 – October 20, 1984) was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who worked extensively with, among others, Ben Webster, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke ...
*''
Budd Johnson and the Four Brass Giants ''Budd Johnson and the Four Brass Giants'' is an album by saxophonist Budd Johnson which was recorded in 1960 and released on the Riverside label. Reception Scott Yanow of AllMusic states, "The great Budd Johnson, who takes tenor solos througho ...
'' (Riverside, 1960) With
Joya Sherrill Joya Sherrill (August 20, 1924 – June 28, 2010) was an American jazz vocalist and children's television show host. Biography Sherrill was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, on August 20, 1924. Her first ambition was to become a writer: she was the ...
*''
Joya Sherrill Sings Duke ''Joya Sherrill Sings Duke'' is a 1965 album by Joya Sherrill recorded in tribute to the bandleader and composer Duke Ellington. Several members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra accompany Sherrill on the album. Reception The album was reviewed f ...
'' (20th Century Fox, 1965)


Notes


References

*.


External links

* allmusic.com biography {{DEFAULTSORT:Nance, Ray 1913 births 1976 deaths Singers from Chicago American jazz trumpeters American male trumpeters American jazz violinists American male violinists American jazz singers Swing trumpeters Swing violinists Swing cornetists Duke Ellington Orchestra members Swing singers 20th-century American violinists 20th-century American singers Jazz musicians from Illinois American male jazz musicians Black Lion Records artists 20th-century American male musicians