Nancy Hays & Lush Life Jazz Band at The Jazz Playhouse

Join us at the Jazz Playhouse as Nancy Hays & Lush Life Jazz offers a captivating mix of timeless jazz classics from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, paired with contemporary jazz and a unique twist on rock and pop favorites.

Nancy Hays has been passionate about jazz since her early days as the featured vocalist for the award-winning jazz band at Champaign Central High School in Illinois, where she recorded her first vinyl record. Over the years, she has brought the Great American Songbook and jazz standards to life through three critically acclaimed solo albums: Simply Classic, Big Band Country, and Bring Back the Romance of Dance.

In Chicago, Nancy has performed at renowned jazz venues, including The Pump Room, Gold Star Sardine Bar, Le Piano, and The Palm Court at the Drake Hotel. Her career highlights include headlining a show with the 26-piece Johnny Haig Orchestra at Caesar’s Palace Circus Maximus Showroom in Las Vegas and opening for legendary artists, including Tony Bennett.

More recently, Nancy has been the featured vocalist for Lush Life Jazz, performing at venues like Wine Styles in Geneva. In 2025, Nancy Hays & Lush Life Jazz will make their Bourbon Street debut at the Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans inside the Royal Sonesta.

Jonathon Gross

Jonathan Gross performed as a pianist and organist with City Rhythm in New York for four years before joining various bands in Chicago, including the Jimmy Lane Blues Band, XL, and Breezin'. Lush Life has showcased their talent at venues such as the Preston Bradley Center, Rahm Emanuel's congressional party, and the Cliff Dwellers Club.

Vince Buancore

Vince Buoncore has been performing throughout the Chicagoland area, the Midwest, and the East Coast for over 45 years. His impressive resume includes performances with bands and ensembles such as the Coyy Band, the Harvey Kay Orchestra, Nobody’s Business, Guilty, Noon Day Darkness, Groove Express, the Chicago Groove Kings, the Arnie Lanza Jazz Trio, the VJD Band, and the Ikeda Kings Orchestra, which regularly performs at the Chicago Cultural Center in the South Loop.

• Live entertainment in a tranquil ambiance in the heart of the French Quarter

• Cocktail service to enjoy our fully stocked bar

• Food selections for purchase (Please note there is no food or beverage included in the ticket price.)

**Must be 21 years of age to attend show, no exceptions **

**Seats are held for 30 minutes after the show starts before being considered a no-show**

**Refund available upon cancellation of reservation within 48 hours of show time**

**Purchase of tickets does not guarantee a seat in the front row of the venue but does guarantee a seat with a clear view of the stage. Ticketed seats are sat on a first come first serve basis, based on party size**

**Special Event valet rate - $20/vehicle. Please provide ticket to event staff for validation. Garage entryways located on both the Bienville and Conti sides of the hotel.

Host or Publisher The Jazz Playhouse