Raised in Saratoga, California, Jacqui Naylor first became interested in music through her parents’ collection of antique automated instruments and vintage jazz recordings. While learning songs from mechanical drums, music boxes and player pianos of the 1930’s, she didn’t realize her tastes were not exactly contemporary. Jacqui explains, “I didn’t think this was old music, just what I liked and listened to.”

Although she sang in musicals and talent shows during high school, Jacqui put her desire to perform aside and pursued a traditional college degree in marketing at San Francisco State University. But after listening to a recording of Sarah Vaughn singing Gershwin in a music appreciation class, she recognized that music was her true passion. In 1991 she began studying with renowned San Francisco vocal coach Faith Winthrop.

Simultaneously, Jacqui worked full-time as the director of marketing for clothing designer Lat Naylor. She spent her spare time honing her vocal skills through lessons and by singing as a soloist with the Sacred Heart Gospel Choir. When in 1996 her job required she spend a year in New York, she continued her training with Shirley Calloway. In 1997 Jacqui returned to San Francisco with one thing on her mind: to make singing her full-time career.

It didn’t take long for the jazz community to embrace Jacqui Naylor. Phil Elwood of the San Francisco Examiner described her distinct sound as “Billie Holiday’s inflections and a touch of June Christy.” But Jacqui’s gospel-influence is just as recognizable, especially in jazz interpretations of her own generation’s music and her originals. It’s this combination of past, present, and future that explains her ability to attract both old-time aficionados and new jazz enthusiasts. As Cabaret Magazine puts it, “She can make you sway gently with a blues-flavored melody, heat up a room with a strong R&B sound and then cool it right down with a smoothness that slides gently into your ear.”
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Christmas Ain't What It Used To Be was written by Art Khu and Jacqui Naylor and is on the Holiday companion CD bundled with Shelter - available now in stores.