Artist description Every once in a great while, an artist comes along that stops you dead in your tracks. With an expressive multi-octave voice and lyrics spoken straight from the soul, expect Nicole Nelson to knock the wind out of anyone within listening range.

Music Style R&B, Soul & Blues, singer/songwriter

Musical Influences Donny Hathaway, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, Ricky Lee Jones

Similar Artists Eva Cassidy, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples

Artist History Positioned right at the forefront of Boston's latest tidal wave of talent, 25 year old Nelson proves herself to be every bit as ground breaking as her many influences. She is deeply rooted in the blues, R&B, rock, and classic soul. Possessing a natural voice that caresses like honey and burns like a blaze, swooping from the most delicate whisper to an explosion of soulful passion. Nicole stands upon the shoulders of the all-time greats while forging her own way toward music history. Born in Brooklyn, NY into a very artistic family, Nelson was raised by an Irish & Norwegian American Father, and a Trinidadian born mother. Having grown up in the midst of one of the world's richest cultural melting pots, Nelson, from a very early age, found herself to be deeply in love with the music, fine art, literature and poetry, which always surrounded her. This is an intoxicating combination on her debut CD for which a five song EP has just been released. She and guitarist Brad Faucher co-write nearly all of the songs on the CD and have proven themselves to be skilled at weaving the threads of the classics into a tapestry of style that is unmistakably fresh and new. Often compared to the likes of Gladys Knight, Eva Cassidy, Donny Hathaway & Jill Scott, it seems that Nicole's style is well interpreted by both young and old, black and white and everyone in between. As obvious as your favorite song while being like nothing you've ever heard before. The mark of an artist that is sure to be around for a while. Nicole first took the stage in 1981 at the age of 3 at a church recital where she received her first of many standing ovations to come. Lured by the bright lights again in 1999, Nelson was in Boston auditioning for the Broadway musical "Rent" when she met Faucher at a blues jam. He was immediately taken by her voice, and began to introduce her to Boston's rich roots music scene. Nicole became a regular at many of the area's open mike jams, and was being called upon to sit in with New England's top performers such as Sweet Willie D, Rick Russell, Duke Robillard and Toni-Lynn Washington. Word of the young woman's extraordinary talent spread like wildfire and soon the Nicole Nelson Band was formed. The band has since been featured on the covers of The Boston Metro, and the Boston Blues Magazine, and been featured in the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, Boston Phoenix, Boston Magazine, Improper Bostonian and many more. They have performed live on the air on 89.7 FM, WGBH's "Blues After Hours" with Mai Cramer, and 92.9FM, WBOS's "Blues on Sunday" with Holly Harris. Critically acclaimed from the start, they have received nominations for The 2002 Boston Music Award's "Outstanding New Blues Act", and the 2002 Boston Phoenix/FNX Music Poll for "Best Blues/R&B Act", and were the 2001 winners of Boston's annual Battle of the Blues Bands at Harpers Ferry, by the largest margin in its 17-year history. The Nicole Nelson Band has recently been invited to perform at the prestigious Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and word of her new EP has created an industry buzz that is getting louder by the minute. Such a bright blend of talent and dedication is rare indeed, and Nicole Nelson's star is just beginning to rise.

Group Members Nicole Nelson- Vocals Brad Faucher- Guitar Sven Larson- Bass Warren Grant- Drums Bruce Bears- Keyboard Eggui Castrillo- percussion

Instruments Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals

Albums Nicole Nelson Band Live, Nicole Nelson EP

Press Reviews *The Berkshire Eagle* ** Seth Rogovoy** Aretha, move over, Nicole is here Twenty-four-year-old vocal phenom Nicole Nelson was clearly the audience favorite at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival's mini-blues festival on Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. Performing a 45-minute set of originals and R&B and soul standards with her six-piece band, Nelson was a knockout, bringing to the stage the fiery energy of Tina Turner, the soul/gospel chops of Aretha Franklin, and the jazzy instincts of Etta James. The Boston-based singer claims Roberta Flack as her greatest influence, and Nelson has been cleaning up lately at the Boston Music Awards and in the Boston Phoenix's readers poll. Clearly a singer to catch on her way up, Nelson performs at Club Helsinki (413-528-3394) in Great Barrington on Saturday night at 9.

Location Boston, MA - USA

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