Nellie McKay

Nellie McKay
McKay at the Farm Sanctuary 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City on May 14, 2011
Background information
Birth name	Nell Marie McKay
Born	(1982-04-13) April 13, 1982 (age 34) London, England, United Kingdom
Origin	Manhattan, New York City
Genres	Rock, pop, jazz, reggae, rap, funk, disco
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals, piano, ukulele, cello, xylophone, glockenspiel
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Columbia Records 2002-2006 Vanguard Records 2006-2009 Verve Records 2009-present
Website	nelliemckay.com

Nell Marie "Nellie" McKay (born April 13, 1982) is a British-American singer-songwriter, actress, and former stand-up comedian, noted for her critically acclaimed albums, and for her Broadway debut in The Threepenny Opera (2006). Her music has showcased different genres, from jazz to rap and disco to funk.

McKay was born in London to an English father, writer-director Malcolm McKay, and an American mother, actress Robin Pappas. She holds dual citizenship. While growing up, she lived with her mother in Harlem, New York, in Olympia, Washington and in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. She studied jazz voice at the Manhattan School of Music, but did not graduate. Her performances at various New York City music venues, including the Sidewalk Cafe and Joe's Pub, drew attention from record labels. She signed with Columbia Records.

The recording sessions for McKay's debut album Get Away from Me took place in August 2003 with Geoff Emerick as producer. Emerick was known for working as the Beatles' engineer on such albums as Revolver and Abbey Road. The title is a play on Norah Jones' Come Away with Me. McKay is said to be the first woman to release a double album as her first release. Originally, her contract with Columbia called for 13 songs, but McKay aggressively lobbied her label for a double album, including bottles of wine, a PowerPoint slideshow, and a mock photo of her threatening Emerick with a gun.