Betty Bryant - Nothin' Better To Do (2026)

BETTY BRYANT is a Los Angeles treasure. The singer, pianist, and
composer has been a regular on the Southern California jazz scene since 1955, when she moved from her hometown of Kansas City, MO, where she was mentored by the late, great Jay McShann. Now, at the remarkable age of 96, Bryant is releasing NOTHIN' BETTER TO DO, her 15th album. Dubbed “Cool Miss B” by her producer and saxophonist Robert Kyle, her blues-based piano and vocal stylings have garnered a legion of fans at numerous jazz clubs and night spots up and down the West Coast and beyond. NOTHIN' BETTER TO DO features three original tunes (one by Bryant, one by Bryant and Kyle, and one by Kyle) as well as several tracks that are off the beaten path. With Bryant and Kyle out front, the music swings with an appealing bluesy, lilting quality. The arrangements are mostly by Bryant and Kyle, with string arrangements on two tracks by Jim McMillen.

Although her vision is very poor and her step is not as steady as it once
was, her music and the witty lyrics she still writes for her own
compositions show a joie de vivre that is simply infectious. Bryant says,
“I’ve been playing the piano for 90 years. It's a big part of who I am. I still have a lot of music to make.”

At 96 years old, Betty Bryant might need a little help climbing up on a
stage, but her singing and playing have not lost a step. She continues to entertain and touch the hearts of audiences on both her recordings and live performance.