Wittlich - Chapman Duo Play Gershwin & Ellington
Ott & Hunter proudly present The Wittlich‑Chapman Duo, joined by the vocalist Nancy Nolan, for an enchanting evening of music by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Slip into our intimate cabaret room and let the warm glow of candlelight, fine wines, and masterful jazz arrangements carry you through a summer night of timeless standards, sultry ballads, and swinging surprises. Experience some of Whidbey Island’s finest jazz talent up close—an elegant, unforgettable night of music and magic.
Gary Wittlich spent a career in higher education, retiring from the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University (Bloomington) as Professor Emeritus. His interest in jazz was kindled in his early years listening to his father’s dance band rehearsals. He has played with all manner of groups, from big bands touring the Midwest (among them Buddy Morrow, Warren Covington, Glenn Miller, and Bob Crosby), to USO tours while in the Army, to small groups in clubs. He moved to Langley, WA in 2017, was the keyboardist for the trio Bluesette for several years, and since 2018 has playe frequently with guitarist Troy Chapman, as well as with Tri Nouveau and Pamelagrace Beatty.
Based on Whidbey Island, Troy Chapman can be found locally playing gypsy jazz with The Hot Club of Troy, modern jazz guitar with The Troy Chapman Group and Baroque Lute with The Island Consort. From 2010-2016 Troy was a member of the renowned gypsy jazz group Pearl Django. He appears on three releases "System D ", "Eleven", and "Time Flies", contributing original compositions as well. He has also been honored to play with some fabulous musicians including guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Martin Taylor, legendary jazz group The Manhattan Transfer, superb vocalists Gail Pettis and Greta Matassa and countless other brilliant musicians.
A Seattle native, Nancy is a seasoned vocalist and pianist. She has performed extensively throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe, in Jazz clubs and Musical Theater, in Seattle’s Jazz Alley, ACT Theatre, and singing the National Anthem at a Seattle Sonic’s playoff game, to The Village Gate, and The Metropolitan Room, NYC, to sold out shows at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, WICA. In addition to her music performances, Nancy enjoys a thriving voice teaching practice in Seattle and Whidbey Island. Several of Nancy’s performances at Jazz Alley were with the late, legendary composer, author, and comedian, Steve Allen, who described Nancy as “-a wonderful singer of particular interest, -her own original style, thoughtful and emotional.”
“Nolan is a vibrant and versatile vocalist always singing to the heart of the song.” – Earshot Jazz
