“…the swingin’est, most dynamite small band.”
Vocalist/electric bassist Nancy Reed and guitarist/vocalist Spencer Reed have been making music for over four decades together, alone, with big bands and little bands. Supported by their own guitar and bass, as a duo, they are a complete band.
Vocal blend is their forte. They have tight yet natural phrasing and surprising harmonies influenced by the classic performances of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, and duo Jackie and Roy.
“With their twenty fingers and four lips working as one, Nancy and Spencer Reed lead you through their interesting arrangements with skill and aplomb. They are the swingin’est, most dynamite small band I have heard yet.” – Bebop legend Bob Dorough
The audience is always treated to a warm, relaxed vibe yet the music is swinging and intense. They offer an interesting selection of tunes punctuated by unique treatments of jazz standards.
“I love the group” – Phil Woods, grammy winning saxophonist and composer
Nancy and Spencer’s Story
They met as teenagers at a jam session in the Bronx and found out they lived on the same block in the projects. Three years later, after marrying, they moved to Northeast Pennsylvania, and made a career playing music.
In 1978 they discovered “the Gap” (Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania) and its rich jazz history. They heard, met, and eventually performed with jazz legends, Phil Woods, Bob Dorough, Al Cohn, Bill Goodwin, John Coates, Jr., and many others who played at the Bottom O’ The Fox and the venerated Deer Head Inn. These two clubs, located two blocks from each other spawned the Celebration of the Arts Jazz Festival (the COTA Festival) held every year on an outdoor stage down the street at the beautiful and charming Castle Inn, former home of musical pioneer Fred Waring. The Reeds played at the first COTA festival in 1978 and enjoy returning every year in September. The “Fox” is long gone, but the Deer Head Inn continues into its seventh decade as the “home of jazz in the Poconos”, and is still their favorite place to play.
In the 1980s and 90s, while continuing to work together, they also performed and recorded with many other musicians and bands, sometimes backing up traveling acts needing accompaniment for one night stops.
They have recorded several albums together. Nancy and Spencer’s latest three recordings, produced by long time friend and associate, Richard Dunning are significantly different from each other. Right Now, displays the duo, creating the feel of a live performance, with guitar, bass and two vocals. In Her Own Sweet Way features Nancy’s vocals with piano and bass, and some tunes with Spencer on guitar and some spectacular tracks with the renown vibraphonist, Joe Locke. Nancy and Spencer’s most recent release, Happying, includes special guests NEA Jazz Master soprano saxophonist Dave Liebman and grammy winning drummer/producer Bill Goodwin.
In their fifth decade of playing, they still are thrilled to live a life filled with music.
Nancy Reed
Vocalist and bassist Nancy Reed was born in Brooklyn to opera singer Lillie Wilbun and Marcus Wilbun, a jazz and classical pianist who sat in at the historic Minton’s jam sessions in Harlem in the 1940’s and.
Nancy has sung in Japan with the Nancy Reed Jazz Show and the Tanaka Quartet, Mexico’s Cancun Jazz Festival with the Nancy and Spencer Reed Sextet, has over thirty annual appearances at the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts Jazz Festival and performed at countless private and club engagements in northeast Pennsylvania where she resides.
Ms. Reed’s most adventurous recording project to date is Neighbors, a collaboration with NEA Jazz Master, saxophonist David Liebman. This critically acclaimed album features Phil Markowitz on piano, drummer Bill Goodwin and bassist Steve Gilmore.
Nancy feels honored to have had a long time association with the late pianist John Coates,Jr., culminating in their “Live” album on Deer Head Records.
Nancy has recorded two albums with Duke Ellington’s grandson Edward Ellington II with the Ellington Legacy Band. Both recordings feature the venerable Norman Simmons on piano.
Nancy was privileged to be a “Bobette” singing back up for jazz legend, pianist Bob Dorough on his album This Is A Recording and on several other projects. You can even hear Nancy as the voice of a polar bear “cub reporter” on School House Rock Earth!
In 1999 Nancy toured ten cities in Northern Italy with pianist, David Leonhardt with whom she has recorded five albums.
“Nancy Reed has the voice she needs to go as far as she wants. Here is
as heartily welcomed a new voice as we’ve heard in some time!” – Jon Hendricks
“Subtle insights, strong swing…a real jazz singer” – Phil Woods
“The dramatic focus Reed brings to bear…is as impressive as a prize
ornament on the [Christmas] tree.” – DownBeat Magazine
Spencer Reed
Guitarist and vocalist Spencer Reed began his career in 1972 with the Soul Distributors playing a circuit of social clubs and private dances in Harlem and the South Bronx.
At age 19, he joined the Chris Towns Unlimited, performing in some upscale night clubs and at the Brown Sugar in Midtown Manhattan. This allowed Spencer to associate with some great and experienced musicians. Jimmy Lewis (bass player with Count Basie) and legendary drummer Charles Honeyboy Otis mentored Spencer in music and life.
After freelancing in New York and touring with the USO throughout the Caribbean and Panama, Spencer settled in the Pocono Mts. where he resides and works often with his wife, singer and bassist Nancy Reed. They have recorded several albums together.
Spencer has performed and recorded on several projects with pianist/vocalist/songwriter Bob Dorough, including School House Rock Earth. Spencer can even be heard as the voice of a rapping, cartoon Grizzly bear.
Almost monthly, Spencer plays with the Water Gap Jazz Orchestra (at the Deer Head Inn) led by Matt Vashlishan, formerly led by and continuing the legacy of the late, grammy winning saxophonist and composer, NEA Jazz Master, Phil Woods. You can also hear them on their recording, A New Celebration.
Virtuoso baritone saxophonist Roger Rosenberg joined Spencer Reed en duo, on his blues influenced recording, People Just Don’t Like Me.
01.
Albums
Happying
Nancy Reed – electric bass and vocals
Spencer Reed – guitar and vocals
Dave Liebman – soprano saxophone
Bill Goodwin – drums
Craig Kastelnik – synthesizer and Hammond organ
Peter Philips – synthesizer
Jay Rattman – alto saxophone and clarinet
Ed Ludwig – tenor saxophone
Neil Braunstein – drums
In Her Own Sweet Way
Nancy Reed – vocals
Jim Ridl – piano
Steve Varner – bass
with special guests
Joe Locke – vibraphone
Spencer Reed – guitar
Right Now
Nancy Reed – electric bass and vocals
Spencer Reed – electric and acoustic guitar and vocals
02.
Videos
Compilation 2024
Nancy & Spencer Reed
Bluesette
Nancy & Spencer Reed
Joy
Spencer Reed
03.
Features
March 14, 2025
7 pm
Nancy and Spencer Reed
with Tyler Dempsey – drums
The Deer Head Inn is the oldest continuously running jazz club in the country and Home of Jazz in the Pocono Mountains, situated in historic Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania.
Produced by Richard Dunning, their latest album features Nancy and Spencer with special guests including NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman and multi Grammy Award winning producer and drummer Bill Goodwin.
Title for This Block
Title for This Block
Pangea in Greenwich Village, NYC
March 5, 2025
8:30 pm
in the Front Lounge
East Village restaurant, lounge and supper club offering fine dining and entertainment.
04.
Reviews
Paris Move
This album is… a labor of love and passion, and the same will be true for listeners who will marvel at its beautiful and fun arrangements, spanning styles from the most classic to funk/soul. … this album perfectly lives up to its title, as it brings a sense of joy and calm.
Jazz Views
HAPPYING may celebrate fifty years of singing and playing together, but I hope the Reeds will continue to create and record for many more years to come.
Broadway World
As Nancy and Spencer Reed continue to enchant audiences with their seamless harmonies and masterful arrangements, Happying stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to the music.
Musical Memoirs
[Their] voices blend like butter and warm toast. Nancy has such a satin smooth vocal style and together with Spencer, they present a unique and stylized package.