Reviews: 1986–2007

1986: 
“Nelson has the pipes to merit the price of admission … can sing to break your heart.” — The Westender, Vancouver, B.C., Chris Deviro

1994: 
“Gail Nelson is a magnificent Holiday, both as actress and singer.” — The Boston Globe, Ed Siegel

“Nelson’s vocal dramatic performance at Theater Works’ Hutensky Theater is something rare to hear, to see and to feel in her portrayal of Billie Holiday …” — The Hartford Courant, Malcolm Johnson

“Gail Nelson is a sleek performer along with pianist-arranger Danny Holgate and Paul Brown on bass …”  — West Hartford News, Edgar Klolen

“Gail Nelson’s performance … mesmerizing display by a wonderful singer in her own right.  She captures the essence of her character …” — Theater In Hartford, Chris Rohmann:

1995:
“Nelson’s voice is full-throated and funky and her stage presence is redolent of a sexual charisma, charm and pathos.” — The Hartford Courant, Steve Starger

“Superb performance at Hartford’s TheaterWorks … Nelson captures the feeling … remains true to all the transitions between the monologues and songs, elegantly achieved, as Nelson helps us understand  the contexts of the songs, through their personal meanings of Holiday …  Interpreted with clarity and heart by the accomplished Nelson with Holgate and Brown.” — The Advocate, Ralph Hamman

1997:
“At the Merrimack Repertory Theater, the lush-voiced and accomplished Gail Nelson conveys a personality, a life, both raucous and tragic (as Billie Holiday) …” — The Boston Phoenix, Lowell, MA., Carolyn Clay

“Gail Nelson made me a fan of Billie Holiday’s Music.  More than that, she made me a huge fan of Gail Nelson.” — Blues Spectrum, Art Simas

“… captivating and sensual, … she captured the essence of Ms. Holiday including mannerisms and the audience knew it, giving her a standing ovation … Gail Nelson gives the theater company’s greatest performance this season.” — The Eagle Tribune, MA., Susan Scully

1998:
“Oh, is Gail a treat.  Through the intertwining of song and dialogue, Ms. Nelson tells the sad tale of Billie’s life from birth to death … wonderful voice … top notch show with a brilliant singer, with Danny Holgate at the piano and Paul Brown on bass.”  — The Milford and Wilton Journal, N.H., Michael Cleveland (American Festival Stage)

2002:
“Nelson is a magician in her performance … She presents a Billie of her own creation which has a sweeter sound, but still hauls-out the grit when needed.  There is emotional power in her performance.  She makes that life live with musicians Danny Holgate and David Jackson supporting seamlessly.” — The Independent, MA., J. Peter Bergman (Barrington Stage Company)

2007: 
“Nelson’s re-creation of the blues-jazz legend is a delicious treat to be savored over the course of the two acts … Nelson’s Holiday dominates the stage …” — Provincetown Banner, Sue Harrison

“… Gail Nelson’s masterful performance is by turns hilarious, raunchy, bittersweet and finally heartbreaking.” — Berkshire Broadcasting News, MA., Sara Dylan

“ … Nelson re-creates her soulful and spirited singing, then breaks-out with her tragic stories as Billie Holiday) …” — Blues Spectrum, MA., Art Simas

“Singer Gail Nelson joined the Spokane Jazz Orchestra on Saturday night for a high-powered season finale.  … Nelson fronting the full big band was swinging and powerful.  Nelson’s renditions of ‘Swing, Brother, Swing’ and ‘What A Little Moonlight Will Do’ captured the upbeat Holiday spirit nicely.  … she could make a personal connection with her listeners.  Here’s where it showed that Nelson knows her Holiday and could produce. She told stories of ‘Good Morning Heartache,’ ‘Crazy He Calls Me’ and ‘Strange Fruit’ instead of just pasting the words on top of the notes for a ballad.” — Spokane Review, William Berry (Tribute to Billie Holiday)

Recording: 1997

Click here to see Cast Album from Hartford TheaterWorks, April 1997
Gail Nelson, vocalist; Danny Holgate — pianist; David Jackson — bassist