This yearly Christmas tradition features acclaimed vocalist Kim Nalley performing all your favorite holiday songs accompanied by the swelling soulful Hammond B-3 Organ played by the incomparable Tammy Hall with Michael Zisman (bass) Josh workman (guitar) and Kent Bryson (drums). Expect several special guests and a few sing-a-longs in at this rollicking joyous concert.
Awarded "Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" in 2005 and "Best Jazz Group" in 2013, vocalist Kim Nalley is already being called "legendary" and "San Francisco institution." No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Kim Nalley perform. With an international reputation as one of world's best jazz & blues vocalists, she has graced concert halls from Moscow to Lincoln Center. A true Renaissance woman, Kim Nalley has also been a featured writer for JazzWest and SF Chronicle's City Brights, shortlisted for a Grammy nomination, a produced playwright, a former jazz club owner, an accomplished stage actress, a Ph.D. candidate in history at UC Berkeley, and an avid lindy hop & blues dancer. Her many philanthropic endeavors include founding the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship.
In looks, Kim Nalley exudes the aura of Billie Holiday. Vocally, she has pipes to burn, packing a 3 1/2 octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone, and the ability to scat blistering solos without ever losing the crowd's interest or the intense swing. Her song selection at times harkens back to Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, but it is delivered with the brass sauciness and R&B sensibilities of Ruth Brown. Kim Nalley's original songs are gutsy, bold and political with the earthiness of Mavis Staples. A consummate stage woman with a penchant for story-telling ala BB King, Nalley's concerts are always an interactive experience between the band and audience.
"GOD, CAN THIS WOMAN SING! It's as if a vocalist from the great post-war blues and jazz combos had been transported to the end of the century." Blues Access Magazine
Nalley has the kind of big, bluesy voice that makes you gasp in admiration. You’ll get chills up your spin as you listen to the gospel-fueled “Trouble of the World,” “Amazing Grace” and “I Shall Be Released.” You’ll never hear a more soulful rendition of “Movin’ On Up” (which served as the theme song of “The Jeffersons” TV sitcom). There’s a sultry sensuality to Nalley’s performance on “Sugar in My Bowl.” Nalley’s interpretation of the classic “Sunday Kind of Love” is a wonderment. The social relevance of Nalley’s own compositions, “Ferguson Blues” and “Big Hooded Black Man,” bring a different kind of power to this extraordinary album. -Pop Culture Classics
"Sultry voiced Kim Nalley brings an irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound to the classic, with her crisp diction and playful delivery of earthy lines." Down Beat
"Kim Nalley has pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it." San Francisco Chronicle
show less
Awarded "Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" in 2005 and "Best Jazz Group" in 2013, vocalist Kim Nalley is already being called "legendary" and "San Francisco institution." No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Kim Nalley perform. With an international reputation as one of world's best jazz & blues vocalists, she has graced concert halls from Moscow to Lincoln Center. A true Renaissance woman, Kim Nalley has also been a featured writer for JazzWest and SF Chronicle's City Brights, shortlisted for a Grammy nomination, a produced playwright, a former jazz club owner, an accomplished stage actress, a Ph.D. candidate in history at UC Berkeley, and an avid lindy hop & blues dancer. Her many philanthropic endeavors include founding the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship.
In looks, Kim Nalley exudes the aura of Billie Holiday. Vocally, she has pipes to burn, packing a 3 1/2 octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone, and the ability to scat blistering solos without ever losing the crowd's interest or the intense swing. Her song selection at times harkens back to Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, but it is delivered with the brass sauciness and R&B sensibilities of Ruth Brown. Kim Nalley's original songs are gutsy, bold and political with the earthiness of Mavis Staples. A consummate stage woman with a penchant for story-telling ala BB King, Nalley's concerts are always an interactive experience between the band and audience.
"GOD, CAN THIS WOMAN SING! It's as if a vocalist from the great post-war blues and jazz combos had been transported to the end of the century." Blues Access Magazine
Nalley has the kind of big, bluesy voice that makes you gasp in admiration. You’ll get chills up your spin as you listen to the gospel-fueled “Trouble of the World,” “Amazing Grace” and “I Shall Be Released.” You’ll never hear a more soulful rendition of “Movin’ On Up” (which served as the theme song of “The Jeffersons” TV sitcom). There’s a sultry sensuality to Nalley’s performance on “Sugar in My Bowl.” Nalley’s interpretation of the classic “Sunday Kind of Love” is a wonderment. The social relevance of Nalley’s own compositions, “Ferguson Blues” and “Big Hooded Black Man,” bring a different kind of power to this extraordinary album. -Pop Culture Classics
"Sultry voiced Kim Nalley brings an irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound to the classic, with her crisp diction and playful delivery of earthy lines." Down Beat
"Kim Nalley has pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it." San Francisco Chronicle
This yearly Christmas tradition features acclaimed vocalist Kim Nalley performing all your favorite holiday songs accompanied by the swelling soulful Hammond B-3 Organ played by the incomparable Tammy Hall with Michael Zisman (bass) Josh workman (guitar) and Kent Bryson (drums). Expect several special guests and a few sing-a-longs in at this rollicking joyous concert.
Awarded "Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" in 2005 and "Best Jazz Group" in 2013, vocalist Kim Nalley is already being called "legendary" and "San Francisco institution." No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Kim Nalley perform. With an international reputation as one of world's best jazz & blues vocalists, she has graced concert halls from Moscow to Lincoln Center. A true Renaissance woman, Kim Nalley has also been a featured writer for JazzWest and SF Chronicle's City Brights, shortlisted for a Grammy nomination, a produced playwright, a former jazz club owner, an accomplished stage actress, a Ph.D. candidate in history at UC Berkeley, and an avid lindy hop & blues dancer. Her many philanthropic endeavors include founding the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship.
In looks, Kim Nalley exudes the aura of Billie Holiday. Vocally, she has pipes to burn, packing a 3 1/2 octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone, and the ability to scat blistering solos without ever losing the crowd's interest or the intense swing. Her song selection at times harkens back to Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, but it is delivered with the brass sauciness and R&B sensibilities of Ruth Brown. Kim Nalley's original songs are gutsy, bold and political with the earthiness of Mavis Staples. A consummate stage woman with a penchant for story-telling ala BB King, Nalley's concerts are always an interactive experience between the band and audience.
"GOD, CAN THIS WOMAN SING! It's as if a vocalist from the great post-war blues and jazz combos had been transported to the end of the century." Blues Access Magazine
Nalley has the kind of big, bluesy voice that makes you gasp in admiration. You’ll get chills up your spin as you listen to the gospel-fueled “Trouble of the World,” “Amazing Grace” and “I Shall Be Released.” You’ll never hear a more soulful rendition of “Movin’ On Up” (which served as the theme song of “The Jeffersons” TV sitcom). There’s a sultry sensuality to Nalley’s performance on “Sugar in My Bowl.” Nalley’s interpretation of the classic “Sunday Kind of Love” is a wonderment. The social relevance of Nalley’s own compositions, “Ferguson Blues” and “Big Hooded Black Man,” bring a different kind of power to this extraordinary album. -Pop Culture Classics
"Sultry voiced Kim Nalley brings an irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound to the classic, with her crisp diction and playful delivery of earthy lines." Down Beat
"Kim Nalley has pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it." San Francisco Chronicle
read more
Awarded "Most Influential African American in the Bay Area" in 2005 and "Best Jazz Group" in 2013, vocalist Kim Nalley is already being called "legendary" and "San Francisco institution." No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing Kim Nalley perform. With an international reputation as one of world's best jazz & blues vocalists, she has graced concert halls from Moscow to Lincoln Center. A true Renaissance woman, Kim Nalley has also been a featured writer for JazzWest and SF Chronicle's City Brights, shortlisted for a Grammy nomination, a produced playwright, a former jazz club owner, an accomplished stage actress, a Ph.D. candidate in history at UC Berkeley, and an avid lindy hop & blues dancer. Her many philanthropic endeavors include founding the Kim Nalley Black Youth Jazz Scholarship.
In looks, Kim Nalley exudes the aura of Billie Holiday. Vocally, she has pipes to burn, packing a 3 1/2 octave range that can go from operatic to gritty blues on a dime, projection that can whisper a ballad yet is capable of filling a room with no microphone, and the ability to scat blistering solos without ever losing the crowd's interest or the intense swing. Her song selection at times harkens back to Empress of the Blues, Bessie Smith, but it is delivered with the brass sauciness and R&B sensibilities of Ruth Brown. Kim Nalley's original songs are gutsy, bold and political with the earthiness of Mavis Staples. A consummate stage woman with a penchant for story-telling ala BB King, Nalley's concerts are always an interactive experience between the band and audience.
"GOD, CAN THIS WOMAN SING! It's as if a vocalist from the great post-war blues and jazz combos had been transported to the end of the century." Blues Access Magazine
Nalley has the kind of big, bluesy voice that makes you gasp in admiration. You’ll get chills up your spin as you listen to the gospel-fueled “Trouble of the World,” “Amazing Grace” and “I Shall Be Released.” You’ll never hear a more soulful rendition of “Movin’ On Up” (which served as the theme song of “The Jeffersons” TV sitcom). There’s a sultry sensuality to Nalley’s performance on “Sugar in My Bowl.” Nalley’s interpretation of the classic “Sunday Kind of Love” is a wonderment. The social relevance of Nalley’s own compositions, “Ferguson Blues” and “Big Hooded Black Man,” bring a different kind of power to this extraordinary album. -Pop Culture Classics
"Sultry voiced Kim Nalley brings an irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound to the classic, with her crisp diction and playful delivery of earthy lines." Down Beat
"Kim Nalley has pipes to burn and works the stage like she means it." San Francisco Chronicle
show less
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401 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
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