Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Happying (2024) [Hi-Res]

Happying is an album by vocal and instrumental duo — and husband and wife — Nancy and Spencer Reed. Half a century ago, they met in the projects in the Bronx and forged not only their romantic relationship but a musical one — influenced by the classic performances of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Carmen McRae, and Jackie and Roy.

In the nearly 50 years since the Reeds moved to the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the couple has loomed large in the Poconos jazz scene, with the world-famous venue the Deer Head Inn — of Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Paul Motian, and Phil Woods, Al Cohn and John Coates, fame — as its epicenter. As best-kept secrets, Nancy and Spencer Reed have played vital roles in this geographical wellspring of music.

Spencer Reed has taught hundreds of guitar students, chief among them multi-Grammy nominee Mark Williams (Kanye West, Christina Aguilera), Chris Connors (Orquesta Akokán) and Russel Higbee (Modest Mouse) and on Nancy’s part, her students include the phenomenal Nellie McKay and Najwa Parkins, among others. In short, if you pass through the jazz scene in the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains, you pass through one of the Reeds — guaranteed. These might be behind-the-scenes movers and shakers — but when they step into the spotlight, the results are nothing but luminous.

Leading up to Happying, the couple has made seven albums together, and each have appeared on a cadre of notable records. In Nancy’s case, her long-time association with the great John Coates Jr. has resulted in the recording John Coates, Jr. and Nancy Reed Live at the Deer Head Inn, and she’s also recorded a pair of albums with the Duke Ellington Legacy Band. In 2005, she recorded the adventurous Neighbors alongside the great saxophonist and fellow Poconos-dweller Dave Liebman, which went on to gain significant exposure and radio play. Spencer has accompanied many of the traveling acts that pass through the Pocono area, including Billy Ekstine, the Fifth Dimension, Robert Goulet, Sergio Franchi, Frankie Laine, Julius LaRosa, Eddie Fisher, and Bobby Rydell, and can even be heard on the historic SchoolHouse Rock educational series alongside the legendary Bob Dorough. He also has played and recorded with Phil Woods and can be heard on his big band album New Celebration.

Happying began life like many albums do: by a simple request from the producer, Richard Dunning. In this case, to do something more “mainstream” than his previous projects. Right then, the husband and wife duo flashed back to three unfinished sessions. Which amounted to unfinished business — and for fans of Poconos jazz, lucky us.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Cheerful Little Earful (2:49)
1.02 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Whisper Not (4:14)
1.03 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (4:45)
1.04 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - A Child Is Born (6:17)
1.05 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Feel Like Makin' love (3:36)
1.06 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Morning Morgantown (4:10)
1.07 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Moanin' (5:10)
1.08 - Nancy Reed, Spencer Reed - Happying (4:38)