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Ray Nance

 


Ray Nance | Jazz Museum of Harlem | tc712

Jazz trumpeter, tap dancer, violinist, band leader and singer Ray Willis "Floorshow" Nance was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 10, 1913. He is mainly associated with Duke Ellington, Earl Hines and Johnny Hodges. He was in Ellington's orchestra for 23 years. Nance was given the trumpet solo on the earliest recorded version of Ellington’s famous “Take the “A” Train”. His nickname "Floorshow" was earned by his high energy tap dancing. He was also the only violinist ever to feature in Ellington's orchestra, and can be heard on the first recording of "C Jam Blues" (1942). From the late sixties he led his own band. Ray Willis Nance died in New York City from kidney disease and other illnesses on January 28, 1976. He is remembered kindly by Ellington's tribute in his biography, "Music is my mistress".

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