Nash, Nancy
Websites:
No
Origin:
North Battleford, Saskatchewan - Edmonton, Alberta, 🇨🇦
Biography:
Nancy Nash, also known by her Haida name Sazacha Red Sky, is a distinguished Canadian blues and pop singer, harmonica player, and songwriter. Born on June 17, 1955, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, she was immersed in music from an early age, performing in churches and dance bands. Her early mentors included her birth mother, an opera singer, and Isabel Mayes, a granddaughter of the first forcibly displaced Africans in Canada who later founded the Shilo Church in Maidstone, Saskatchewan.
At 12, Nash began her professional career with local bands like The Golden Idols and The New Colonials. In 1971, as a teenager and single mother, she moved to Edmonton, Alberta, where she connected with the blues band Hot Cottage. This collaboration led to a pivotal moment in 1972 when she recorded "Worried Worried," a spontaneous duet with Chicago blues legend Big Walter "Shakey" Horton, produced by Holger Petersen of Stony Plain Records.
Throughout the 1970s, Nash's presence in the Canadian music scene grew. She appeared on television programs such as "The Homemade Jam Show" with Bob Ruzicka and "The Cave" hosted by Tommy Banks. In 1976, she released her debut album, "Natural Born," under Mustard Records, featuring original compositions and collaborations with other songwriters. Her single "Stranger," written by Bryan Fustukian, reached number one in Saskatchewan.
Relocating to Vancouver in 1979, Nash became a sought-after session vocalist, working with notable artists and producers, including Bruce Fairbairn. She contributed backing vocals to albums by Prism, Loverboy, and Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet," notably on the track "Livin' On A Prayer." She also earned the title "Queen of Jingles," lending her voice to numerous commercials for brands like Coca-Cola and Alberta Tourism.
The 1980s marked a period of extensive collaboration for Nash. She worked alongside artists such as Shari Ulrich, Gary Fjellgaard, Anne Mortifee, Rita MacNeil, Matt Minglewood, Bryan Adams, Cher, B.B. King, Albert King, Dick Damron, Buddy Guy, Colin Linden, Valdy, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, Long John Baldry, Andy Gibb, Trooper, Anne Murray, and Bob Hope. In 1982, she independently released the album "Letting Go," recorded at Mushroom Studios. Her commitment to education led her to develop a pop music program called "Muse-Ecology" at the Vancouver Community College, where she continues to mentor students.
Nash's dedication to Indigenous rights and environmental causes became prominent in her career. Adopted into the Haida Nation by Dr. Minnie Croft, the Raven Clan Mother, she embraced her Haida name, Sazacha S’ktghaxeeahw (Red Sky). Her 1994 album "Red Sky Rising" earned a Juno Award nomination for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording, making her the first woman nominated in that category.
After spending several years off the grid in the Okanagan mountains, Nash returned to her Prairie roots, moving to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 2016. There, she released her seventh album, "Prairie Sea," in 2020, paying homage to her upbringing and the beauty of the Prairies.
In recognition of her contributions to the blues genre, Nash was inducted into The Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame in 2015, becoming the first woman to receive this honor. Her career, spanning over five decades, reflects a profound commitment to music, cultural advocacy, and mentorship.
