Nancy Wilson (born February 20, 1937) is an American singer with seventy-plus albums, and three Grammy Awards so far in her career. She's been labeled a singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop; a "consummate actress"; and "the complete entertainer." The title she prefers, however, is song stylist. She has received many nicknames--"Sweet Nancy, The Baby" and the "Fancy Miss Nancy" are only two of them.

Nancy Wilson was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, February 20, 1937 to Olden Wilson (iron foundry worker), and Lillian Ryan. Nancy's father would buy records to listen to in the home. At an early age Nancy heard recordings from Billy Eckstine, Nat Cole, and Jimmy Scott with Lionel Hampton's Big Band. Nancy says: "The juke joint down on the block had a great jukebox and there I heard Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown, LaVerne Baker, Little Esther". By the age of four, she knew she would eventually become a singer.

At the age of 15, while a student at West High School (Columbus, Ohio), she was chosen to represent the school in a talent contest sponsored by local television station WTVN. She won. The prize was an appearance on a twice-a-week television show, Skyline Melodies, which she ended up hosting. She also worked every club on the east side and north side of Columbus, Ohio, from the age of 15 until she graduated from West High School, at age 17. Nancy first attracted notice performing the club circuit in nearby Columbus.