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Her favorite artists included [[Tony Bennett]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Cleo Laine]], [[Rosemary Clooney]], and Weslia Whitfield.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
Her favorite artists included [[Tony Bennett]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Cleo Laine]], [[Rosemary Clooney]], and Weslia Whitfield.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}


She was diagnosed with [[Crohn's disease]] at age seventeen.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/16/arts/nancy-lamott-43-pop-singer-of-a-clear-all-american-style.html|title=Nancy LaMott, 43, Pop Singer Of a Clear, All-American Style|publisher=New York Times|author=Stephen Holden|date=1995-12-16|accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref> This incurable chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder afflicted her with severe abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and arthritis.{{failed verification}}<ref name="nytimes"/>
She was diagnosed with [[Crohn's disease]] at age seventeen.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/12/16/arts/nancy-lamott-43-pop-singer-of-a-clear-all-american-style.html|title=Nancy LaMott, 43, Pop Singer Of a Clear, All-American Style|publisher=New York Times|author=Stephen Holden|date=1995-12-16|accessdate=2009-05-28}}</ref> This incurable chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder afflicted her with severe abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and arthritis.{{Failed verification|date=May 2009}}<ref name="nytimes"/>


== Singing career ==
== Singing career ==
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LaMott started out her early career in California, having arrived at age twenty two in San Francisco with her brother Brett. She worked at Pitney Bowes as a clerk during the day while singing, accompanied by Tom Spahn and Bob Bendorff, in many night clubs. She lived there for four years.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
LaMott started out her early career in California, having arrived at age twenty two in San Francisco with her brother Brett. She worked at Pitney Bowes as a clerk during the day while singing, accompanied by Tom Spahn and Bob Bendorff, in many night clubs. She lived there for four years.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}


A friend, "Bear" Mogerman, bought LaMott a plane ticket to New York. On July 29, 1979, Nancy arrived with $1,000 in her pocket and two borrowed lawn chairs.{{failed verification}} She found a job singing around town wherever they would let her sing.{{syn}} Later, she performed at all the well-known Manhattan clubs and lounges (Reno Sweeney, Copa, Don't Tell Mama, Eighty Eights, Alqonquin, Tavern on the Green) and at Carnegie Hall.{{failed verification}}<ref name="NYT 011409">{{cite news | last = Goldberg | first = Carey | title = Three Women and Their Journeys in Song;A Sweet, Songful Life Lost As It Was About to Start | publisher = The New York Times | date = January 14, 1996 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/14/arts/pop-music-three-women-their-journeys-song-sweet-songful-life-lost-it-was-about.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 | accessdate = May 31, 2009}}</ref>
A friend, "Bear" Mogerman, bought LaMott a plane ticket to New York. On July 29, 1979, Nancy arrived with $1,000 in her pocket and two borrowed lawn chairs.{{Failed verification|date=May 2009}} She found a job singing around town wherever they would let her sing.{{Synthesis|date=May 2009}} Later, she performed at all the well-known Manhattan clubs and lounges (Reno Sweeney, Copa, Don't Tell Mama, Eighty Eights, Alqonquin, Tavern on the Green) and at Carnegie Hall.{{Failed verification|date=May 2009}}<ref name="NYT 011409">{{cite news | last = Goldberg | first = Carey | title = Three Women and Their Journeys in Song;A Sweet, Songful Life Lost As It Was About to Start | publisher = The New York Times | date = January 14, 1996 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/14/arts/pop-music-three-women-their-journeys-song-sweet-songful-life-lost-it-was-about.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 | accessdate = May 31, 2009}}</ref>


Her accompanists included Paul Greenwood (New York City and Atlantic City), Rick Jensen (June 1980 to 1985), and [[Christopher Marlowe (composer)|Christopher Marlowe]], as her music director and arranger, (1985-1995). Scott Barnes became her director and later her manager in 1991, until her death.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
Her accompanists included Paul Greenwood (New York City and Atlantic City), Rick Jensen (June 1980 to 1985), and [[Christopher Marlowe (composer)|Christopher Marlowe]], as her music director and arranger, (1985-1995). Scott Barnes became her director and later her manager in 1991, until her death.{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
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LaMott's career highlights included two [[White House]] performances for the Clintons ([[December 1]], [[1993]] & [[November 22]], [[1994]]), both under the auspices of Barnes's best friend Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares. When Barnes informed Ann Stockton at the White House of Nancy's terminal condition, the Clintons called her at the hospital, where, even though weakened, Nancy swung her legs down so she was sitting up, and said, "And don't forget Mr. President, if there's anything I can do for you, just ask!"{{Fact|date=May 2009}}
LaMott's career highlights included two [[White House]] performances for the Clintons ([[December 1]], [[1993]] & [[November 22]], [[1994]]), both under the auspices of Barnes's best friend Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares. When Barnes informed Ann Stockton at the White House of Nancy's terminal condition, the Clintons called her at the hospital, where, even though weakened, Nancy swung her legs down so she was sitting up, and said, "And don't forget Mr. President, if there's anything I can do for you, just ask!"{{Fact|date=May 2009}}


She underwent an [[ileostomy]] operation in January 1993 to remove a large portion of the third part of her small intestine. This operation dramatically improved her health.{{failed verification}} In the same year, she won the [[Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs]] ''Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist''. <ref name="dailynews">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1995/12/15/1995-12-15_feted_cabaret_star_nancy_lam.html|title=Feted Cabaret Star Nancy Lamott Dies|author=Wayman Wong|date=1995-12-15|accessdate=2009-05-28|publisher=New York Daily News}}</ref>
She underwent an [[ileostomy]] operation in January 1993 to remove a large portion of the third part of her small intestine. This operation dramatically improved her health.{{Failed verification|date=May 2009}} In the same year, she won the [[Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs]] ''Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist''. <ref name="dailynews">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1995/12/15/1995-12-15_feted_cabaret_star_nancy_lam.html|title=Feted Cabaret Star Nancy Lamott Dies|author=Wayman Wong|date=1995-12-15|accessdate=2009-05-28|publisher=New York Daily News}}</ref>


In March 1995, LaMott was diagnosed with [[uterine cancer]], yet she postponed a hysterectomy in order to record "Listen To My Heart," which only took a remarkable two days to complete. The operation revealed that the cancer had [[metastasized]].<ref name="NYT 011409"/>
In March 1995, LaMott was diagnosed with [[uterine cancer]], yet she postponed a hysterectomy in order to record "Listen To My Heart," which only took a remarkable two days to complete. The operation revealed that the cancer had [[metastasized]].<ref name="NYT 011409"/>

Revision as of 20:31, 31 May 2009

Template:Rescue

Nancy LaMott (December 30, 1951 in Midland, MichiganDecember 13, 1995 in New York City) was a singer popular on the New York City cabaret circuit in the 1990s. LaMott performed twice at the White House for President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.[1] In 2008, her posthumously-released album Ask Me Again, featuring songs she recorded between 1988 and 1995, reached #12 on Billboard Magazine's Top Jazz Albums chart.[2]

Childhood

Nancy LaMott grew up in the Midwest with her parents, Jack and Patricia LaMott, and an older brother Brett. (Her parents were later divorced. LaMott called her stepmother, Judy, "Mom.") She had voice training lessons with Mrs. Hath and Mrs. Pike, who were both from Midland. The singer Alix Korey had also trained her briefly in the early 1990s.[citation needed]

She was influenced by the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Eydie Gorme. She started her musical career at age fifteen, singing with her father's dance band "Barnstorm," along with Brett on the drums. Her father's band played many of Johnny Mercer's songs.[citation needed]

Her favorite artists included Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Cleo Laine, Rosemary Clooney, and Weslia Whitfield.[citation needed]

She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age seventeen.[3] This incurable chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder afflicted her with severe abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and arthritis.[failed verification][3]

Singing career

LaMott started out her early career in California, having arrived at age twenty two in San Francisco with her brother Brett. She worked at Pitney Bowes as a clerk during the day while singing, accompanied by Tom Spahn and Bob Bendorff, in many night clubs. She lived there for four years.[citation needed]

A friend, "Bear" Mogerman, bought LaMott a plane ticket to New York. On July 29, 1979, Nancy arrived with $1,000 in her pocket and two borrowed lawn chairs.[failed verification] She found a job singing around town wherever they would let her sing.

Later, she performed at all the well-known Manhattan clubs and lounges (Reno Sweeney, Copa, Don't Tell Mama, Eighty Eights, Alqonquin, Tavern on the Green) and at Carnegie Hall.[failed verification][4]

Her accompanists included Paul Greenwood (New York City and Atlantic City), Rick Jensen (June 1980 to 1985), and Christopher Marlowe, as her music director and arranger, (1985-1995). Scott Barnes became her director and later her manager in 1991, until her death.[citation needed]

LaMott's repertoire included works of great American composers such as Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers with Lorenz Hart or Oscar Hammerstein II, Cy Coleman, Harold Arlen, Stephen Sondheim, David Zippel, Alan Menken, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Annie Dinerman, David Friedman, and Rick Jensen, among others.[citation needed]

LaMott's career highlights included two White House performances for the Clintons (December 1, 1993 & November 22, 1994), both under the auspices of Barnes's best friend Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares. When Barnes informed Ann Stockton at the White House of Nancy's terminal condition, the Clintons called her at the hospital, where, even though weakened, Nancy swung her legs down so she was sitting up, and said, "And don't forget Mr. President, if there's anything I can do for you, just ask!"[citation needed]

She underwent an ileostomy operation in January 1993 to remove a large portion of the third part of her small intestine. This operation dramatically improved her health.[failed verification] In the same year, she won the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Award for Outstanding Female Vocalist. [5]

In March 1995, LaMott was diagnosed with uterine cancer, yet she postponed a hysterectomy in order to record "Listen To My Heart," which only took a remarkable two days to complete. The operation revealed that the cancer had metastasized.[4]

LaMott's last recording "As I Remember Him" on Portia Nelson's album "This Life" was completed during the third week of November 1995.[citation needed]

Her last public performance was on December 4, 1995, at one of the radio station WQEW's live performances. On that same day, she made her last TV appearance on CNBC's The Charles Grodin Show, singing Moon River. [6]

On December 13, 1995, Father Steven Harris blessed the union of Nancy to Peter Zapp, a little more than an hour before she died. Nancy LaMott died at 11:40 PM EST, at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, of uterine cancer.[7]

A public memorial service was held for her on February 11, 1996, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City, with 1,500 people in attendance, including Margaret Whiting, Tony Bennett, Peter Matz (arranger/producer of her last album), and Alan and Marilyn Bergman.[citation needed]

Posthumous awards

  • Lifetime Achievement Award - the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), April 1996[8][9]
  • 1995 Entertainer of the Year - the Cabaret Hotline Critic's Choice[citation needed]

Discography

Composer David Friedman produced her eight albums and a feature DVD under MIDDER Music label.

  • Beautiful Baby (1991; MMCD001)
  • Come Rain or Come Shine (1992; MMCD002)
  • My Foolish Heart (1993; MMCD003)
  • Just in Time for Christmas (1994; MMCD004)
  • Listen to My Heart (1995; MMCD005)
  • What's Good about Goodbye? (1996; MMCD006)
  • Live at Tavern on the Green (2005; MMCD007)
  • Ask Me Again (2008; MMCD008, 2-CD set)
  • I'll Be Here With You (2008; DVD)

References

  1. ^ Nancy LaMott at AllMusic - Bio by Michael G. Nastos
  2. ^ Nancy LaMott at AllMusic - Nancy LaMott - Ask Me Again Album Data and Chart Position
  3. ^ a b Stephen Holden (1995-12-16). "Nancy LaMott, 43, Pop Singer Of a Clear, All-American Style". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  4. ^ a b Goldberg, Carey (January 14, 1996). "Three Women and Their Journeys in Song;A Sweet, Songful Life Lost As It Was About to Start". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  5. ^ Wayman Wong (1995-12-15). "Feted Cabaret Star Nancy Lamott Dies". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  6. ^ Carey Goldberg (1996-01-14). "POP MUSIC: Three Women and Their Journeys in Song;A Sweet, Songful Life Lost As It Was About to Start". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  7. ^ "We remember Nancy LaMott". Examiner. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  8. ^ Wong, Wayman (6 March 1996). "MAC LOVES LOTS OF LAMOTT LATE SINGER SCORES TOP NOMINATIONS FOR 10TH CABARET AWARDS". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  9. ^ "MAC AWARDS PAST WINNERS 2007". The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs. Retrieved May 31, 2009.