Music Monday: Nancy Wilson

*This week's Music Monday is the work of guest writer Biff Huxtable.

Move over Clair and Camille, Nancy was first! 

Jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson and Bill Cosby share a storied past. Friends for life, Wilson first appeared as Cosby's love interest in his acclaimed 1960's television series "I Spy," from which Cos won many awards. Agent Scott was clearly crazy in love with Lori, Wilson's character.

Nancy Wilson graced television with her presence while playing Lori in
a 1966 episode of I Spy.  Wilson, center, is accompanied by Bill Cosby who
costarred as Alexander Scott. Photo courtesy of Complete Illustrated Guide to I Spy.

Music Monday: Moody's Mood for Love

Many are familiar with Denise's mother-in-law drama in "Grampy and Nu-Nu Visit the Huxtables." However, in the basement, Dr. Huxtable and Martin's father, Joe Kendall, reminisce and discuss great jazz albums. Mr. Kendall challenges the depth of Dr. Huxtable's jazz collection and mentions "Moody's Mood for Love." As Cliff begins to sing, he is interrupted by the beautiful voices of Clair and Lorraine Kendall (played by Grammy Award singer Nancy Wilson!), as they join their husbands in romantic slow dance scene.

The ladies join the men in singing and dancing to "Moody's Mood for Love"
in S6E10 of The Cosby Show.

Music Monday: Rudy and The Chiffons

I was watching "Shall We Dance?" (season 6, episode 7) the other day, and heard Dr. Huxtable make mention a singing group called The Chiffons. After an awkward interaction with her crush Clarence,
Rudy and her friend made their way to the Huxtable house.

Scenes of Rudy and Clarence from S6E07, "Shall We Dance?"

Music Monday: Joe Williams, Grandpa Hanks

Ah, Grandpa Al Hanks!

As I watched S2E9, "Clair's Sister," I wondered who he was. His voice is hard to forget, that's for sure. (The song duet he sings with Phylicia at the end of the episode is stuck in my head right now.) I did a little research on Joe Williams and would like to feature him today for Music Monday!

Joe Williams and Phylicia Rashad singing,
"We Belong Together" by Shelton Becton. (S2E9)

Music Monday: Dizzy Gillespie

In the true tradition of the great musical legacy of The Cosby Show, I wanted to dub the first day of the week, "Music Monday." Heathcliff Huxtable was a jazz aficionado and collector. Over the show's eight-season span, viewers are introduced to many musical artists who have created jazz classics. Today, the spotlight shines on Dizzy Gillespie. 

In season one/episode eight (109), Vanessa takes on the taxing job of practicing for her music recital. Her teacher, Mr. Hampton, played by Dizzy Gillespie, comes over to the house to giver he a brush up lesson before the big day.