Nancy Norman (born Florence Berman, April 23, 1925 – May 27, 2024) was an American singer.
Life and career
editNorman was born in Los Angeles, California on April 23, 1925.
Norman studied voice while attending Roosevelt High School. She sang with a swing orchestra led by Edmundo Martinez Tostado.[1] During this time, Norman learned that "Swing and Sway" big band leader Sammy Kaye was holding a contest in Los Angeles. She entered the Who Wants to Sing With the Band contest and Kaye was so impressed with Norman that he immediately signed her on as one of his "girl singers" in his band. At just 4,'11", barely 100 pounds, and only 16 years old, "Little Nancy Norman" as she was frequently introduced, was underaged and had to be accompanied by her mother when she traveled back to New York City, as well as traveling to other cities with the orchestra.
Norman was Kaye's lead female singer from 1942 to 1945. Hits featuring her vocals in the 1940s include "Chickery Chick", "Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)", and "There Will Never Be Another You". Norman had three songs in the Top 10 according to Billboard’s top jukebox played songs. "Chickery Chick" spent four-and-a-half months on the charts and one month at the top of the charts in 1945. Norman also introduced several classic songs such as "You'll Never Know" and "As Time Goes By". She performed with the Sammy Kaye Orchestra across the country, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
In 1948, Norman was married to singer Dick Brown.[2] She married Robert Jacobs in 1949 and relocated to Beverly Hills, California. She remained in her native Los Angeles at the same home she and her husband built shortly after their marriage. Norman had three children. She died in Beverly Hills on May 27, 2024, at the age of 99.[3]
References
edit- ^ Zuckerman, Bruce; Sanchez, George J. (2012). Beyond Alliances: The Jewish Role in Reshaping the Racial Landscape of Southern California. Purdue University Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-55753-623-5.
- ^ "Sideshow of Radio Attractions". The Times Dispatch. Virginia, Richmond. December 30, 1945. p. 27. Retrieved August 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Florence Jacobs". Forever Missed. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
External links
edit- Nancy Norman discography at Discogs
