Kim Nalley is an American jazz and blues vocalist renowned for her powerful 3½ octave range and dynamic stage presence. Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, she studied classical music and theater before relocating to San Francisco, where she immersed herself in the local jazz scene while attending the University of California, Berkeley. Her talent garnered the attention of notable figures like conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, who invited her to perform Gershwin with the San Francisco Symphony.

Beyond her performances at major festivals such as Monterey and Umbria, Nalley owned and operated the iconic San Francisco jazz club Jazz at Pearl's from 2003 to 2008, elevating its status in the international jazz community. Her discography includes albums like *Need My Sugar* and *I Want a Little Boy*, the latter co-produced with tenor saxophonist Houston Person.

In addition to her musical career, Nalley is a dedicated scholar. She earned a Ph.D. in…