Nancy Newman: Singing from Her Heart

Singer-songwriter Nancy Newman is oftentimes described as delivering heartfelt interpretations in her music.  Her most recent recording DREAM is evidence of this trademark quality.  In Vancouver, British Columbia, Newman believes she fills a niche in jazz vocals for audiences who crave emotional connection and heartfelt resonance in their listening experience — qualities she delivers with exceptional depth.
 
She reveals, "I’ve always been fascinated by dreams—both the kind that fuel our hopes and ambitions, and the ones that emerge from our unconscious while we sleep."

"With a background in counseling and therapeutic dream work," she cites, "I wanted to create an album that reflects both sides: the dreams that guide us, and the symbolic, often mysterious ones that speak to us in the night."
 
She sums up, "Each song on DREAM was chosen to explore these dual themes. My one guideline was simple: every song had to include the word 'dream' or 'dreaming' in the lyrics. That anchor gave me a lot of freedom, from the playful optimism of 'Rainbow Connection' and 'Dream (When You’re Feeling Blue)' to the more introspective feel of 'Journey Through Night' and 'Once in a Dream'."
 
Delving further into the recording, she extracts, "Some tracks, like 'Whistling Away the Dark,' explore the tender mix of vulnerability and hope that dreaming often stirs in us. Others dive into the dreamlike, emotional world of sleep, where memories and symbols blend in unexpected ways."

She describes, "With a mix of lightness and depth, I hope this collection encourages listeners to reflect on the power of dreams."
 
Supporting her on DREAM are: Jennifer Scott on piano, Rene Worst on bass, Buff Allen on percussion, and Bill Buckingham on synthesizer.  She shares, "Jennifer Scott has been my vocal coach, mentor, and friend for many years. I have immense respect for her artistry, and her presence on this album was essential—not just as a gifted pianist, but as an inspiring creative partner."
 
"I was also thrilled," she extols, "to reunite with Rene Worst and Buff Allen, who both played on my earlier albums. I love their playing and the unique energy they bring to every session.  Collaborating with Bill Buckingham at Palace Studios was an absolute pleasure. Beyond his expertise as an engineer, he has an exceptional talent for vocal production, which shaped the final sound of the album."
 
She illuminates, "My first taste of studio recording came years earlier at The Warehouse Studios, where I recorded 'I Hold a Light,' a piece I co-wrote with classical composer Rudy Rozanski. I loved the clear sound quality and everything about recording in the studio—it left a lasting impression. I couldn't wait to do more!"
 
Prior to making DREAM, Newman's solo efforts included Palace of the Moon and You Never Know, both of which illustrated her penchant for heartfelt interpretations.  "After years of writing original songs and refining a collection of jazz standards," she recollects, "I booked two days at Armoury Studios in Vancouver. The sessions resulted in enough material for two albums, so I separated them: Palace of the Moon for originals, and You Never Know for jazz standards."
 
She imparts, "Palace of the Moon has the most personal story of all the songs on the album. It was inspired by memories told to me by my Aunt Phyllis about a real place where my dad played saxophone in a dance band. Years after he passed, my aunt—eyes twinkling with nostalgia—recalled how, during tough times at home, my teenage father would bundle his younger twin sisters into the rumble seat of his car and drive them to the Palace of the Moon."
 
Newman elaborates further, "As she described the dancehall set against moonlight, beaches, and amidst the rolling sand dunes of Prince Edward County, it gave me chills. That image stayed with me."
 
"For me," she reflects, "the Palace of the Moon became a metaphor for refuge—a timeless, otherworldly place where music offers escape, connection, and healing."
 
"What I love most about writing songs," she admits, "is the sense of discovery. I never quite know where a line, title, or melody will lead, and that’s the magic. Each song becomes its own journey."
 
The track "Nothing Stays the Same" from Palace of the Moon stands out to listeners.  Newman explains why, "'Nothing Stays the Same' was written after the sudden loss of a close friend. The lyrics came from real-life moments: rediscovering an old book and photographs that once belonged to them"
 
She recites the opening lyrics, "Blankets of time and dust ignored / Comfort a book that has been stored, / Away so long it's almost mine, / I'll give it back to you sometime. / Pictures of us tucked from view, / Burn in my memory. / If only you knew how often I had cherished them— / But they can't bring you back again."
 
"As I wrote," she examines, "the song shifted from grief to something more hopeful. The bridge reflects that change," she demonstrates, continuing with the lyrical phrases, "I'm feeling stronger than before, / I need you less, I feel much more... / Of what you left behind."

She assesses, "The phrase 'nothing stays the same' became more than a sad lament; it became a mantra about moving through loss and finding strength in change."
 
"Robbie Steininger's guitar work," she points out, "brought the arrangement to life. His playing perfectly captures that delicate balance between sorrow and resilience."

"As for the musicians," she recounts the roster of musicians who supported her and credits, "Michael Creber, Rene Worst, Buff Allen, Robbie Steininger, and Tom Keenlyside, they're all outstanding players I met through the Vancouver jazz scene. I felt lucky to bring them together for the sessions."
 
She purports, "Each album has marked a stepping stone in my evolution, not just as a vocalist, but as a storyteller and creative collaborator. I’ve learned to trust myself more: with my voice, my choices, and my vision as an artist."
 
Newman's regards her "journey as a vocalist evolved over time, turning a childhood passion into a finely honed talent."
 
She remembers, "Music was a constant in our home, and I was especially drawn to the sound of my father playing jazz standards on the piano—I couldn’t help but sing along. I’ve always loved music and felt most like myself when I sang, though I didn’t realize back then that singing was something you could actually study and train for."
 
"At the same time," she recalls, "I was deeply curious about the human mind, which led me to study psychology and eventually earn a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University. It wasn’t until I stepped away from my counseling career to raise my three sons that I found the space to return to my first passion—music."
 
"That became a turning point," she asserts, "I began performing and committed myself to vocal study starting with classical technique, moving into musical theatre, and ultimately finding my home in jazz, which allowed me to experiment and express myself in the moment.”
 
“Songwriting soon followed,” she determines, “challenging me to go inward and connect emotionally as I found ways to weave meaningful lyrics with melody, then bring those stories alive in performance."
 
"Having never studied music formally," she attests, "I wanted to fill in the missing pieces, the nuts-and-bolts fundamentals, so I enrolled in Vancouver Community College’s jazz program. It was both a humbling and exciting experience to be fully immersed in the study of music. At the same time, it was incredibly challenging, as I was balancing coursework with family and elder care responsibilities."
 
She ascertains, "One of the biggest lessons I took from VCC was just how vast and never-ending the journey of learning music is. The more I learned, the more I realized the infinite depth of exploration. That sense of perspective has stayed with me and continues to fuel my work as a recording artist."
 
"I’ve been fortunate." she notes, "to study with some truly inspirational jazz masters, including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Nancy King, Jay Clayton, Kate Hammett-Vaughan, Jennifer Scott, and Greta Matassa, all of whom deeply shaped and encouraged my path as a vocalist and performer."

"Performing with the Latin Jazz and Classic Jazz Ensembles was a rewarding part of my time at VCC," she proclaims. "It gave me the chance to collaborate with emerging artists under the excellent direction of John Korsrud and Craig Stevenson Scott. Those ensemble experiences helped me evolve as a vocalist and showed me that jazz’s open, improvisational nature truly resonates with how I enjoy expressing myself musically."
 
She discerns, "I’ve always been drawn to jazz for the freedom it offers, to interpret and reinvent the music with each performance, making every moment feel alive and unique."

When she isn't working on her music, Newman relishes life as she observes, "I find joy in walking through forests and along beaches, reconnecting with nature’s rhythm. I love creating memorable meals for family and friends — there’s something so nourishing in gathering together around good food and conversation. Playing dress-up with my grandchildren always gets us laughing and keeps my imagination alive. I also enjoy planting dahlias, picking blueberries in the sun, meditating, and cycling through foreign landscapes."
 
Known for her heartfelt interpretations, Nancy Newman gives songs meaning.  Audiences who seek comfort and solace from the listening experience will find what they desire in Newman's music and performances.  They may even find a new favorite melody in her repertoire that speaks to them like no tune or interpretation before has ever done.