Ray Nance

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Ray Willis Nance (December 10, 1913 Chicago - January 28, 1976 in New York City ) was a jazz trumpeter, violinist and singer.

Nance is best known for his long association with Duke Ellington through most of the 1940's and '50's, after he was hired to replace Cootie Williams. Nance was the only violin soloist ever featured in Ellington's orchestra.

Nance made a few recordings as a bandleader, and also recorded or performed with Earl Hines, Rosemary Clooney and others.

Nance is also one of the well-known vocalists from the Ellington orchestra, having sung not the first version (that credit goes to Ivie Anderson), but arguably the definitive version of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." It was his contribution to take the previously instrumental horn riff into the lead vocal, which constitute the now infamous, "Doo wha, doo wha, doo wha, doo wha, yeah!"