Birth December 30, 1951; Midland, Michigan Family Parents: Jack LaMott, and Patricia; Older brother, Brett; Stepmother, (whom Nancy called "Mom") Judy. Voice Training Mrs. Hath and Mrs. Pike, in Midland, who was also the voice teacher of the opera singer Cheryl Studer; Nancy was also trained under Alix Korey for a short while in the 1990s. Childhood Influences Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Eydie Gorme Her father's band played a lot of Johnny Mercer's songs. Singing Career Started at age 15, with her father's dance band, "Barnstorm", and her brother at the drum Education Midland High School in Midland, MI. Work Experiences After High School - Midland Sears Store Catalog Crohn's Disease Diagnosed at age 17; this incurable chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder afflicted Nancy with severe abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and arthritis. San Francisco Arrived at age 22, with Brett. Worked at Pitney Bowes as a clerk during the day; sang in many night clubs. Lived there for 4 years. New York A friend, "Bear" Mogerman, bought her a plane ticket to New York. Nancy arrived with $1000, and 2 borrowed lawn chairs, on July 29th, 1979. Sang around town wherever they would let her sing. Later, at all the well-known clubs & lounges (Reno Sweeney, Copa, Don't Tell Mama, Eighty Eights, Alqonquin, Tavern On the Green), and at Carnegie Hall. Career Highlights Performed twice (December 1st, 1993, and November 22nd, 1994) for the Clintons at the White House Accompanists Tom Spahn and Bob Bendorff in San Francisco Paul Greenwood in New York City and Atlantic City Rick Jensen (between June 1980 to 1985) Christopher Marlowe, also her music director and arranger (from 1985 to 1995) Repertoires The Gershwins, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers with Lorenz Hart or Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen Sondheim, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, David Friedman, Annie Dinerman, Rick Jensen, Alan Menken, David Zippel, among many others Recording Career With the support from David Friedman (as her Producer) and Scott Barnes (as her Director & Manager), Nancy released 5 albums through Midder Music (Mr. Friedman's record company), one per year, between 1991 and 1995. Her first posthumous album was released in 1996. More albums will continue to come out from 2005 onward. Favorite Artists Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Cleo Laine, Rosemary Clooney, and Weslia Whitfield Big Name Fans and Friends President and Mrs. Clinton, Frank & Kathie Lee Gifford, Rosemary Clooney, Margaret Whiting, Neil Sedaka, Cybill Shepherd, Charles Grodin of CNBC Cable Talk Show Less Well-known Fans YOU and I [She would certainly tell us, "I'm So Glad There Is You."] Passion Eating(!) Well-known for her Snickerdoodles, mashed potatoes, meat loaf, etc. Dreamhome On the street where there are a Taco Bell and a Mister Donut Favorite Social Causes Any, especially AIDS Benefits January 1993 Underwent an ileostomy operation to remove a large portion of the third part of small intestine. This operation dramatically improved her health. January 1995 Her father came to New York to see her perform for the first time in 9 years. March 1995 Diagnosed with uterine cancer; postponed hysterectomy in order to record "Listen To My Heart", which took remarkable 2 days on her part. The operation revealed that the cancer had metastasized. November 1995 "Listen To My Heart" was released. Last Recording "As I Remember Him", on Portia Nelson's album, 'This Life'; 3rd week of November 1995 Last Public Performance December 4th, 1995, at the WQEW Party Last TV Appearance December 4th, 1995, on CNBC Charles Grodin Show, singing "Moon River" (taping at 12:30 PM that day.) December 13, 1995 Father Steven Harris blesses the relationship of Nancy and Peter Zapp, a little more than an hour before she passed away. Departure Wednesday, December 13th, 1995, at 11:40 PM EST, at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, New York City, of uterine cancer Resting Place Nancy was cremated as per her wishes. Public Memorial Service February 11th, 1996, at St. Paul the Apostle Church, New York City, with 1,500 people in attendance. Posthumous Awards Lifetime Achievement Award - the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC), April 1996 1995 Entertainer of the Year - the Cabaret Hotline Critic's Choice Nancy's life is an example of courage, hope, dream, endurance, and love. She fought all of the obstacles life threw at her. Despite all the sickness and financial struggles, she endured in order to pursue her dream. And finally when she was just about to have it all, she left us to a better place. However, we feel Nancy is still alive in all of the song she sang. Though she is no longer physically here with us, her music will forever prove her presence. She will continue to entertain the world through one of those once-in-a-generation voices and talents.
