Vocalist Nancy King Dies at 85

By DownBeat I Aug. 19, 2025

Nancy King: 1940–2025
(Photo: Kathryn Elsesser, courtesy of Montavilla Jazz)

Vocalist Nancy King, a staple of the Portland, Oregon, jazz scene, died Aug. 5. She was 85 years old.

King received two Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album during her career, for Live At Jazz Standard With Fred Hersch in 2006 and Porter Plays Porter by Randy Porter in 2017.

“My dear friend, the ebullient and always thrilling Nancy King, has peacefully gone home to her reward,” jazz vocalist Kurt Elling wrote in a social media post. “Her available recordings are all-too-few, but those of us who heard her will never forget her effortless mastery. Those of us who knew her will never forget her boundless, childlike joy and embracing kindness.”

King’s elastic vocal range, scat-singing chops, dynamic stage presence and iconic rose-colored glasses were among the distinguishing characteristics for which she was admired. Her work on the West Coast in the 1960s, especially in San Francisco (where she met her husband, Sonny King), brought her national attention. Nancy toured with Sonny’s band, which led to work with such artists as Jon Hendricks, Vince Guaraldi, Ralph Towner, Dave Friesen, Karrin Allyson, Oregon and Ray Brown.

“Nancy was widely celebrated for her formidable vocal chops and astonishing soloing ability. But her real mastery was in her gift for drawing out the emotional core of a lyric,” said Neil Mattson, executive director of Portland’s Montavilla Jazz Festival. “Through her phrasing, her nuanced melodic variations and her fearless musicality, she could bring a song’s meaning into sharp, undeniable focus.”

Born June 15, 1940, King grew up outside Eugene, Oregon, and was raised by musical parents who encouraged her to pursue a life in the arts. In Portland, she recorded many albums with longtime collaborators bassist Glen Moore and pianist Steve Christofferson. Her leader recordings included King On The Road (Cardas, 1999), Moonray (Philology, 1999) and Perennial (Ornry Diva, 2011).

King remained committed to the Portland jazz scene throughout her career. She taught at Portland State University, and students there continue to work on arrangements of her tunes. DB