For decades, the tremendous harmonica player was a staple of Central Jersey scenes
SOMERSET -- Nancy Bertheim Swarbrick, a revered harmonica player and longtime member of New Jersey's local blues community, died Saturday. She was 61.
Swarbrick, best known as "Big Nancy," was a fixture in both Central Jersey and national music scenes since the 1980s, playing regularly in New Brunswick and surrounding areas, as well as touring the country with revered blues frontman Sonny Rhodes. She also jammed with genre luminaries Johnny Copeland, Pinetop Perkins and Willie Dixon.
Additionally, Swarbrick also shared the stage with acts not so associated with the blues specifically including Clarence Clemons, Levon Helm of The Band, and The Spin Doctors.
The Green Brook native later formed a local all-star band called The Supreme Court, alongside virtuosic Jersey blues guitarist Bernie Brauswetter.
Off stage, she was tireless promoter and booking agent, who began her work at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).
Swarbrick was inducted into the American Heritage Foundation's Blues Hall of Fame in 2010, which has also recognized the work of Janis Joplin, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman and more.
"We need everybody we can get to support the blues," she said during her acceptance speech.
Swarbrick battled cervical cancer for years, and was receiving hospice care at the Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center in Somerset, Asbury Park Press reports.
Many frequenters of the local blues-friendly venues -- The Court Tavern, The Stanhope House, or Roxy and Dukes in Dunellen -- will remember the smoky tones Swarbrick poured from her harmonica, often alongside her husband and fellow player, Danny Swarbrick. Though the nickname "Big Nancy" referred not only to Swarbrick's stature but her larger-than-life personality, and maternal warmth off-stage.
"She was the big sister everyone wished they had," said Tony Scardaci, a blues guitarist who played with Swarbrick in Supreme Court. "She was very much part of the blues scene -- even the club owners would seek her counsel. She was world class."
"Ever since I started playing harmonica and found out about the local music scene, Nancy was there," wrote Dennis Gruenling, a fellow Jersey player with Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones and blues DJ for WFDU, wrote on Facebook. "But not only was she there, she was there being supportive, encouraging, and so very generous in every conceivable way to this then-young blues fan/harmonica player (and to countless others)."
Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.