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Nicole Nelson, 25-year-old vocal phenom, was born in Brooklyn, NY into a very musical household. Everything from classic R&B, to Jazz & Blues was played and loved. Nicole was familiar with the sounds of such legends as Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington, Ruth Brown & Janis Joplin, Donny Hathaway & Roberta Flack from the very beginning.
Nicole first took the stage at a church recital when she was just three years old. Her talent and love of singing was obvious even then, when she recieved her first of many standing ovations to come. Nelson continued singing in school and choral groups, musicals, and at local events.
In 1999, while in Boston auditioning for the Broadway musical "Rent", Nicole went to an open mike, hosted by guitarists Brad Faucher and "City" Pete Porier, and created such a splash amongst the musicians and the audience, that what began as a fun night out became the start of her professional career. She was embraced right away by such local performers as Sweet Willie D, Rick Russell and the J Place Band, and began sitting in at their shows while honing her skills as a front person. Within months, the Nicole Nelson Band was formed. The uplifting, original, and awe-inspiring performances by the group began turning heads at lightning speed.
Their shows include original material (soon to be released on their debut album), which is the perfect blend of old and new. Instrumentation that is reminiscent of early 70's Roberta Flack, with the modern feel of honest, poetic lyrics and dazzling arrangements. The quality of musicianship, depth of original material and Nelson's sheer vocal prowess, are a powerful and refreshing combination.
The band has been featured on the covers of The Boston Metro, and the Boston Blues Magazine, and has had articles in the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, Boston Magazine and Improper Bostonian. Live performances on 89.7 FM, WGBH's "Blues After Hours" with Mai Cramer, and 92.9FM, WBOS's "Blues on Sunday" with Holly Harris, created an immediate demand for more of their music on the airwaves.
The Nicole Nelson Band has recieved 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 band went on to place third out of nearly 60 bands in the International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN)
Their debut CD (recorded at the prestigious Rear Window Studio in Brookline, MA) Is expected to be released in Fall 2003. Catch them while they're still local.
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