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Nicki Parrott

Nicki Parrott, an internationally acclaimed bassist, arrived in New York in May of 1994, the recipient of a grant from the Australia Council for the Arts allowing her travel to the US and study with her mentor, one of the world’s premiere double bassists, Rufus Reid. In the same year she was also nominated for the “Australian Young Achievers Award”.

Today, Nicki Parrott is a world-class double bassist and an emerging singer/songwriter. In her work with artists from around the globe she has brought a signature sound to every bass part she has played. She performs regularly at the world’s best Jazz Festivals and can be seen Monday’s at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City with the legendary guitarist and inventor, Les Paul. Since June of 2000, this union has been an ideal showcase for her musical abilities, flair for improv, and gift for entertaining a crowd.

Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki Parrott began her musical training on the piano at the age of four. She also took up the flute and continued to play both instruments throughout her school years. At the age of 15, Nicki switched her focus to the double bass, formed a band with her older sister Lisa (alto sax) and began composing instrumental pieces that they would eventually record for their premier CD release, The Awabakal Suite (2001).

After completing high school, Nicki moved to Sydney and attended the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music, where she graduated with an Associates degree in Jazz Studies. When bassists such as the legendary Ray Brown (Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson) and John Clayton (Diana Krall, Whitney Houston) were playing in town, Nicki would find them, contact them and arrange lessons from them. She was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Pan Pacific Music Camp, and soon after, took first place in the 1992 Jazz Action Society's Annual Song Competition for her composition, Come and Get It.

In 1990, Nicki began touring Australia with Russian musicians Daniel Kramer and Alexander Fischer playing sold out shows across the country. This was followed by successful tours with American trumpeters Bobby Shew and Chuck Findley. When she was off the road, Nicki was consistently playing bass with other world-renowned jazz musicians like New Zealand’s Mike Nock (piano), Australia's Dale Barlow (tenor sax), Paul Grabowsky (piano), Bernie McGann (alto sax) and the explosive Ten Part Invention.

In May of 2002, The Nicki and Lisa Parrott Quartet headlined the prestigious Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival held at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The show was broadcast on NPR and was well received by the press. She was also the resident bassist with the Kitchen House Blend, a house band that premiered and performed new music from local New York composers. They would blend jazz, hip-hop, classical and rock in one evening...“It was a very creative experience”.

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556
Album Review

Nicki Parrott: Moon River

Read "Moon River" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


It seems, according to some unwritten rule, that most female jazz instrumentalists sooner or later record a vocal album or two. Unfortunately, on these recordings, often passable vocal skills take precedence over superior instrumental talent. Perhaps this is intended to meet the demands of the commercial market, with bassist Nicki Parrott's Moon River a prime example. From the sexy cover photo to the listing of all the songs' lyrics in the booklet (all except one are well-known jazz standards), to ...

408
Album Review

Nicki Parrott: Moon River

Read "Moon River" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Japan's appetite for American jazz is ever increasing and their Venus Records has been releasing new material from mainstream artists that is attractively packaged and superbly recorded. Included in their catalog is Moon River, bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott's debut as a leader. Much in demand as a bassist, Parrott has developed a uniquely emotive style that is adaptable to a number of genres but in all cases her sensitive touch is what sets her apart. Her recent foray ...

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Extended Analysis

Nicki Parrott & Rossano Sportiello: People Will Say We

Read "Nicki Parrott & Rossano Sportiello: People Will Say We" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Nicki Parrott & Rossano Sportiello People Will Say We're In Love Arbors Records 2007

With People Will Say We're In Love, bassist Nicki Parrott and pianist Rossano Sportiello have stepped to the forefront and formed a musical partnership that keeps the melody squarely in focus while creating an atmosphere of intimate instrumental interplay. Both musicians are well known for their individual talents from previous dates. Sportiello's solo piano release, Heart And Soul (Arbors, 2006), ...

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Recording

Nicki Parrott Digs Blossom

Nicki Parrott Digs Blossom

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Nicki Parrott is special. In addition to being a warm, smart singer, she's also a bassist. An interesting combination, which means as a singer she can swing in time. And as a bassist, she's lyrical. I must say that when her new CD, Dear Blossom: A Tribute to Blossom Dearie (Arbors), crossed my desk, I was a little apprehensive. Dearie is a dangerous pianist-singer to take on. Her hip, girlish vocal style developed during a lengthy stay in Paris in ...

12

Performance / Tour

Nicki Parrott: Jazz At Kitano

Nicki Parrott: Jazz At Kitano

Source: Daniel Kassell

On the last Wednesday night of the first month in the newly renovated bar musical director Gino Moratti announced a quiet policy intended to focus attention on the subtleties of Nicki Parrott’s Trio. Moving from the second floor after six successful years to the first floor adjacent to the hotel in the former Park Avenue Rockefeller Townhouse, the official opening on the weekend of May 2nd, 2012, found it’s now called: JAZZ at Kitano. The mahogany walls, banquettes, skylights set ...

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Performance / Tour

Gene Ess with Nicki Parrott at Somethin' Jazz Club on November 22, 2011

Gene Ess with Nicki Parrott at Somethin' Jazz Club on November 22, 2011

Source: SIMProductions

Gene Ess featuring Nicki Parrott to perform a special Thanksgiving concert previewing the upcoming album at Somethin' Jazz Club, NYC on Nov. 22nd, 2011 7PM to 10PM. Gene Ess—gtr/arrange James Weidman—piano Thomson Kneeland—bass/arrange Gene Jackson—drums Featuring Nicki Parrott—vocals. Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011 1st set 7PM, 2nd set 8:30PM Cover $15 with $10 minimum Somethin' Jazz Club 212 East 52nd St, 3rd Floor NY, NY 10022 Tel: 212-371-7657 “Guitarist ...

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Event

Nicki Parrott Presents a Tribute to Peggy Lee and Julie London

Nicki Parrott Presents a Tribute to Peggy Lee and Julie London

Source: Michael Ricci

Jazz vocalist and string bass player Nicki Parrott will perform classics by Julie London and Peggy Lee on Sunday, April 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, New Jersey, 07726. Parrott is the resident bassist with the Kitchen House Blend band which premieres and performs new music by New York composers, and is a regular at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City. Concert is free. Parking available on site. ...

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Performance / Tour

Toronto Art Orchestra Create New Music!!

Toronto Art Orchestra Create New Music!!

Source: All About Jazz

The Toronto Art Orchestra is doing it again to rave reviews!! Tim Booth's Toronto Art Orchestra TAO will perform at the Rex Hotel Sun. March 2nd 3:30 pm and Wed. March 12th at the Trane Studio 9:00 pm. Don't miss these 2 unique events and Toronto's most eclectic new Jazz Orchestra. We will be playing works by Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Booth, Bruce Cassidy, Jason Logue, Jeff Raheb (recently recorded with Dave Leibman), Greg Runions and more. Here is ...

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Event

Toronto Art Orchestra Does It Again

Toronto Art Orchestra Does It Again

Source: All About Jazz

Just a little note to announce our (Toronto Art Orchestra) upcoming gig at the Dominion on Queen Mon. Dec. 10th at 9:00 pm. We have some new imaginative arrangements and compositions by Bruce Cassidy and I. We also have an arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Arab Dance from the Nutcracker by the Great Gil Evans! I am so excited because the band is sounding great and it will be a Killin' night! Here are some of the impressions and feedback from the ...

“The most astonishing new jazz musician we have seen in years.”
The Washington Times

“More Than Just Beauty & The Bass”
The Mississippi Rag

“Immaculate accompanist to guitar and drum solos”
Double Bassist Magazine

"Nicki has become an extraordinarily emotive bassist seemingly extending her instrument's range to convey the subtlest of sentiments."
All About Jazz

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Like A Lover = ...

Venus Records (5)
2015

buy

Sakura Sakura

Venus Records
2012

buy

Summertime

Venus Records
2012

buy

Autumn Leaves

Venus Records
2012

buy

Can't Take My Eyes...

Venus Records
2011

buy

Black Coffee

Venus Records
2010

buy

Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)

From: People Will Say We're In Love
By Nicki Parrott

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