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Nicole Rampersaud
Nicole has been performing and composing solo trumpet music since 2008, and continues to use this as a vehicle to deconstruct and abstract the trumpet’s traditional sonic possibilities. In solo performances, Nicole improvises composites of her pieces in the moment, resulting in compelling structures that engage, challenge, and, ultimately, involve audiences in the creation of a connected experience.
Nicole is a founding member of the Canadian improvising trio, c_RL, featuring Percussionist and Composer, Germaine Liu and Composer and Improviser, Allison Cameron. She also works extensively with pianist Marilyn Lerner as the duo, Brass Knuckle Sandwich. As a Composer, Nicole’s works have been performed at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival in Wales, the Festival of New Trumpet Music in New York, and the Suddenly Listen series in Halifax. She has received multiple grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.
Born and raised in Toronto, Nicole holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto’s Jazz PerformanceProgram. Upon graduating from the University, Nicole was offered a scholarship to continue her studies at the New England Conservatory, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies. While at the Conservatory, Nicole studied with Danilo Perez, John McNeil, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Morris, Herb Pomeroy, Joe Maneri, and Bob Moses. She also studied composition with Michael Gandolfi and Ken Schaphorst.
In addition to her projects as a leader, Nicole is currently a member of Brodie West’s Eucalyptus, and performs with Joseph Shabason. 2019 will see the release of a new mixtape project, new albums by c_RL, and Brass Knuckle Sandwich, and new collaborations with Guitarist and Improviser, Joel LeBlanc.
Awards
Recipient of Grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.
Tags
Michael Vlatkovich 5 Winds: Five of Us
by Alberto Bazzurro
Ensemble (nello specifico quintetto) di soli fiati (non solo ance ma anche ottoni), come una volta era praticamente inaudito, dopo di che ci si sono misurati in diversi, e in tempi recenti quasi più nessuno: questa è la formazione a cui si rivolge il vulcanico trombonista losangelino Michael Vlatkovich per questo suo nuovo lavoro, peraltro inciso (a Toronto) nell'abbastanza lontano 2015. Vi trova posto una musica curata, parecchio scritta ma non per questo priva di singoli apporti in grado di ...
read more"Challenging, yet eminently accessible and beautiful to hear was the captivating duo set of Toronto-based improvising pianist Marilyn Lerner and trumpeter Nicole Rampersaud. They’re called Brass Knuckle Sandwich, but their collaboration is all about individual creative expression, complicity, and a commitment to refined aesthetic values. Lerner called on a vast background – from classical to Klezmer – to develop themes that mesh with Rampersaud’s trumpet explorations and sonic techniques, providing another festival highlight." - Irwin Block, Avant Music News
Primary Instrument
Trumpet
Location
Halifax