CD Notes. As a child, Nick remembers her mother Jewel singing around the house; Nick and her sister Josephine followed naturally and sang in Second Baptist Church, and Douglass High School choirs. It was after inadvertently over-extending herself into singing in her cousin’s Club Society talent show that Nick was recommended by Willie Corry of Brooklyn, NY to replace him in Tex Hammond’s Trio w/Bob Rutledge on bass at Copa City. By the time Nick joined, it was Jerry Sandifer’s Trio Plus 1; Pete Morris drums, Bill Nelson bass. They opened the first Pass of the North Jazz Festival featuring Dave Brubeck, Joe Morello, Eugene Wright; Chico Hamilton w/Eric Dolphy; Lambert, Hendricks & Ross; Chris Conner; Maynard Ferguson’s band w/Anne Marie Moss; emceed by Leonard Feather. When a reviewer heralded "Nicki" as the …coolest of them all… Her stage name became Nicki, and the rest is musical history.
Arriving in Hartford, CT as a day-worker, a long-time wannabe dancer surge, and after an 11 year singing hiatus, Nick, Christine and Sabaye stopped after African Dance class at the Artists Collective to hear jazz at Mad Murphy’s. Christine introduced Nick to Emery Austin Smith; and encouraged by Sabaye, Nick joined Emery’s band w/Thomas Chapin on stage to sing jazz standards she adored singing back in El Paso, TX; she had not realized how much she missed singing. Emery would later hire Nicki; in turn, recommended by Marlis, Nick was hired by Marlis’ husband, Norman Gage, and she’s back singing again.
Deciding to promote herself, Nick formed her own Afrikan Amerikan Jazz Resurgence Band with Jim Argiro piano, Paul Brown bass, Jr. Ortiz conga/percussions, Emmitt Spencer drums, Lenzy Wallace Jr guitar. When they kept working, she dropped Resurgence. Tired of saying no when asked if she had recordings, Nick stopped waiting to be discovered, contacted Smyrl’s friend Chris White and made her debut album in 1986; several recordings followed and make up this marvtastic 17 year anthology. Listen for the thrill of things done for the first time and the promise of lifelong fullfilment.
Thank yous. Umntu Ngumtu Ngabantu is a South African proverb Nick learned from Naomi Tutu, which means a person is a person through other people.
"In the beginning I was fortunate to meet the best musicians in the world – Beautiful people w/whom I performed, lived, loved, and played. Looking back when this magic circle began, I realize that that part of my career was starting at the top. All I had to do was rehearse myself, try to be cute, put on my false eyelashes, show up, sing; have my picture taken, enjoy the after parties – as singing turned out to be my everything, my love, my passion. Now I have to do what the band leaders, promoters, marketing and PR, musicians, arrangers, writers did back then ... everything! I’m happy to say singing, - with added The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N management and production deliberations influenced by Lena Horne & her musical director Linda Twine in ‘Lady and Her Music’, plus working with pianist Bertha Hope - singing is still my love/passion.
A serious special thanks to my sons, my entire family and friends for making it possible for me to have a life with music, and produce MCW festival shows for 21 years and counting.
In addition to my heartfelt thanks to the musical giants who lent their time, and talent to make my Afrikan Amerikan Jazz sound like I know what I’m doing, I give my love, admiration, and a portion of my magic:
From my number 2 son to me to you,
‘It is important that we all establish a pace that does not cause discomfort in mind or body. Stay true to your life style and your success shall be known to one and all. The spirit stay with you’.
I believe in music and magic! Siempre, Nick Mathis"
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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/flylady/musicwoman/2008/08/27/Creative-Vocalists-Nicki-Mathis-and-Renee-Fiallos
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/flylady/musicwoman/2008/10/01/Metaphysics-of-Music
Bio. International Women In Jazz Impact Awardee/Urban Artists Initiatives Best Performance winner jazz vocalist/music NICKi MATHIS, b. Marlin, TX. raised, El Paso, gained fame w/Jerry Sandifer’s Modern Jazz Trio when they opened 1st Pass of the North Jazz Festival in El Paso.
"...But if the looking glass were asked, Mirror, Mirror-on-the-all, who was coolest of them all? the answer would be Nicki Mathis...a good strong voice...up and down the scale with the greatest of ease..." Ken Flynn, El Paso Herald Post
Nicki Mathis' Afrikan Amerikan Jazz Quartet to 24-piece orchestra w/strings is a member of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts' Performing Roster; www.cultureandtourism.org; link on to Arts Presentation Grant Program; eligible for funding (up to 50%) for performance through the New England Foundation for the Arts/StatesTouring program. Arts Presentation Grants are available to nonprofit organizations for booking members of the Directory for performances. www.nefa.org. Nicki also performs solo/duet/trio
NMAAJ is available for local/national/international jazz clubs/venues, concerts, festivals, colleges, hotels, First Night celebrations; National Black History/Women's Month/Jazz Awareness Month/Black Music Month/National Hispanic Month; library/Art Gallery programs, corporate/other special events, public and private; restaurants, weddings, parties.
Based in Hartford, CT, bandleader, composer, lyricist, producer/writer/actor, educator NMathis, Ed M. fans her jazz flame at The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N Jazz Festival Concert, Hartford CT. BOOKINGS: 860.231-0663;
Saturday 14 Feb w/Norman Johnson, Walnut Care Center, New Britain
Tuesday 17 Mar 2009, 5:30 pm, w/ Bob Paskowitz Latin Quarter Jazz Collective Warren Byrd p, Jason Schwartz b, Woody Floyd d; Public Bar & Grill 337 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 860-344-1168 No cover
Wednesday, 6 May, 12:30 pm, Housatonic Community College Courtyard Festival: Nicki Mathis’ Afrikan Amerikan Jazz Ricky Alfonso, Phil Bowler, Arti Dixson, Janice Friedman, Yasuyo Kimura, Dotti Anita Taylor
900 Lafayette Boulevard Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-332-5270, 860.231-0663
Thursday 28 May 7;30 – 10:30 w/Ed Peart drums, Szechuan Tokyo 1245 New Britain Avenue West Hartford, CT 06110 860.561-0180 www.asianfusion.net
Saturday 5 September, 8pm
The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N XXVI FREE Jazz Festival
Headlining NMAfrikanAmJazz New Millennium All Stars
Ricky Alfonso, Joe Fonda, Arti Dixson, Rozanne Levine
Dotti Anita Taylor, Deborah Weisz, Mark Whitecage;
Featuring Carla Dean, Dawn Dumas, & MORE TBA
Hartford, CT. CoSponsored by MCW, Inc., OPUS, Inc., SAND, Inc. Funded in part by The Evelyn W. Prestion Memorial Fund, Bank of America Trustee, MCW, Inc. Supported by Smith Whiley & Company, Cull Books, Jim Fentress. Open to the Public. Sponsors Invited. 860.231-0663, 860.429.6859
Saturday 26 September, 8pm
The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N XXVII FREE Jazz Festival
Saint Joseph College, The Carol Autorino Center for Arts and Humanities, Wheelchair Accessible.
1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford CT, CT. 06117-2791
Headlining: Nicki Mathis’ Afrikan Amerikan Jazz
Ricky Alfonso, Phil Bowler; Dotti Anita Taylor;
Featuring: Carla Dean, Dawn Dumas, Latanya Ferrell; Amina Star & Rodney Decarlos Edwards’ string duo.
CoSponsored by MCW, Inc. Saint Joseph College, The Carol Autorino Center for Arts and Humanities, OPUS, Inc., SAND, Inc. Funded by MCW, Inc. Supported by Smith Whiley & Company, Cull Books. Open to the Public. Sponsors Invited. 860.231-0663, 860.231-5529, 860.429.6859
Past gigs S C H E D U L E:
Friday 7 November 2008, 8pm w/Ricky Alfonso Quintet: Chris Casey piano,Genevieve Rose bass,John Grieco drums at Donald Oat Theater,Norwiwh CT;
Thursday, 6 November 2008, 6pm Cromwell Crowne Plaza,
Permanent Commission on the Status of Women w/Hey Rim Jeon, Mike Aseetta, Jocelyn Pleasant
Saturday, 8 November 2008, 8pm The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N at Saint Joseph College, 1678 Asylun Avenue, West Hartford, CT. w/Ricky Alfonso, Jennifer Allen, James Daggs, Artie Dixson, Karina Jimenez, Dotti Anita Taylor; Special Guest: Dawn Dumas; Carla Dean
Sat 6 Sep 8pm The MCW Jazz Fest, Aetna Theater Wadsworth Museum of Art, Hartford CT, http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=9559
Nzinga's Daughters Music of the Diaspora, The Bushnell, Hartford CT;
Jan'08 iaje/African American Jazz Caucus Dance Band, Toronto ON Canada
Nuyorican Poets Café Roam Neal's Ladies In Jazz. NYC
Mgt Operation response, " What are you doing in Hartford?"
Mercy Center By The Sea Madison CT.
2007 Sat 8 Sep The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N Jazz Fest; RichyAlfonsoPhilBowlerMelanieDyerRaynelFrazierYasuyoKimura
RozanneLevineBillLoweYunieMojicaJocelynPleasantCarolSudhalterdottiAnitaTaylorLynnTracey
FlorUrruttiaDeborahWeiszMarkWhitecage
LaRe Jazz Jam, Sugar Bar NYC w/Janice Friedman, Kim Clarke
Cafe Nine New Haven w/DaveDana KenAldrich EstrasLubin New Haven CT
12th An International Arts/Ideas Festival w/Machael Asetta Jocelyn Pleasant Kalim Zarif New Haven on the Green, New Haven, CT
LADY GOT CHOPS JAZZ FESTIVAL w/Dotti Anita Taylor Linda Oh Jocelyn Pleasant Kim Clarke Naisha Walton, The Jazz 179 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn NY 718.453-7825 http://thejazz.8m.com/lady07.html
iaje/AAJC performance w/Dee Spencer p Joseph Scully b Ahmin Abdul Rashid d, Sheraton Hotel NYC.
APAP NMAAJazz w/Ann Belmont Kim Clarke Jocelyn Pleasant Dotti Anita Taylor Showcase music from Africa TX Mexico Brasil @ the 50th Association of Performing Arts Presenters Conference in the Associated Musicians of NY Club Room NYC.
NMAAJ w/Jennifer Clark Allen Doug Long Jocelyn Pleasant Hartford Public Library Harlem Renaissance Big Read focus: Zora Neale Hurston, Hartford CT.
Black History Celebration: NMAAJazz w/Ricky Alfonso Joey Yasuyo Kimura Mary Ann McSeeney Dotti Anita Taylor Jocelyn Pleasant Sonya Gayles, Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT. "Recently I had the opportunity to experience the music of "The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N as we closed out the observances of the 2007 African American History Month Celebrations at Manchester Community College. The Most appropriate words to characterize the evening and their performance are elegant, passionate, moving, artistic, educating, rapturous and solid. Listening to the group provides a musical journey of peaceful reflection and passionate engagement. Their program is presented with style, sensitivity and thoughtfulness; with a genuine appreciation and respect for the art form. I highly recommend them and look forward to the next opportunity I have to experience their musical collage. 'Jazz at its best' would not be an overindulgent characterization..." Alfred L. Carter, Dean of Students Affairs.
2006 Fireside Commons Manchester Community College Guest of Sonja Gayles Bruce Manning Steve Starger @ Mishi-maya-gat Spoken Word & Music Series; Sun 3 Dec 5P Black Nativity Choir Bridgeport City Hall Bridgeport CT; White Plains NY; Lincoln Bassett Auditorium, New Haven CT; Nzinga's Daughters Choir The Bushnell Theater Hartford CT $17; w/K La Rue Hartford First Night; Sat 20 May 2006 w/Kalim Zarif Comet Lounge Harford CT; Sat 24 Jun New Haven Arts/Ideas Festival Chapel St Stage; Fri 30 Jun Comet Lounge w/Alex Nakhimovski; Sat 22 Jul MC/Guest Singer w/Nzinga's Daughters Band; Fri 24 Aug Comet Lounge Warren Byrd Doug Long Sonja Gayles Saskia Laroo Jocelyn Pleasant; Fri 8 Sep Pender County @ St. Paul United American Methodist Episcopal Church New Haven $45; Sat 16 Sep The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N Jazz Fest Hartford CT; Sat 23 Sep Harlem Book Fair Hartford, CT; Pender County Play Fri, Sat 7/8 Apr 06; Sun 9 Apr; Sat 22 Apr 7P Comet Lounge NMAAJ, Jazz Appreciation Month celebration w/Jen Clark Doug Long Jocelyn Pleasant Joey Paulette Tony. 2006 New Year began @ Hartford Public Library's Baby Grand Jazz w/Jennifer Allen Doug Long Jocelyn Pleasant; before - she was guest of Billy Towns' band @ the Casino/Sunland Park, NM.
2005 UAI Delgate/producer/Association of Performing Arts Presenters 'A Touch of Brasil Africa Texas Mexico Showcase' w/Ann Belmont g, Kim Clarke b Jocelyn Pleasant d, Dotti Anita Taylor p/fl; Girl Scouts Bloomfield Center Church; CT African American Parade Committee Rally St Monica's Church appearing w/Paul Brown's quartet, Curtis p, Arti Dixson d, Josh Evans trp; It's Only Natural Middletown CT w/Lynn Tracey; Sat 23 Apr The Jazz Bklyn NY, DATaylor p/fl Skip Garrett b Jocelyn Pleasant d, http://TheJazz.8m.com; celebrated Jazz Awareness Month @ Hartford Public Library w/Skip Garrett, Jocelyn Pleasant, Lynn tracey; UAI Jazz Music winner @ Rich Forum Stamford Center for the Arts; Hartford Public Library Albany Branch Women in Jazz; Husky NOW Rosefest; The Jazz Bklyn NY; Johnson & Johnson Activities, Houston TX; UMASS Arts Management Extension Conference; Nzingha's Daughters music from the African Diaspora Bushnell Theater; received Albert Pertillar Audience Award from Al Carter Jr's Sigourney Square Park Family Festival; MCW w/NMAAJ New Millennium All Stars; Thirsty Mind South Hadley MA; Café Savannah w/Paul Arslanian,Springfield MA; Nzinga's Daughters Holiday Bushnell Theater Celebration.
2004 UAI Delgate/producer/APAP Showcase A Touch of Brasil English/Português @ Associated Musicians, Greater New York Club Room w/Ann Belmont g, Bernice Brooks d, Jr. Ortiz perc, Dotti Anita Taylor p/fl, Special Guest Lynn Tracey g
Prosser Centennial Finale Prosser Library Bloomfld CT w/Jennifer Clark p, Claire Arenius d, Sonja Gayles fl, Jr. Ortiz perc, Megan Sesma hrp
Cedar Crest Hospital w/Jim Argiro p, Artie Dixson d
Alexandria Manor w/JArgiro
The Jazz Lady Got Chops Women's Jazz Festival BklynNY 718.453-7815 http://thejazz.8m.com/home.html w/Sylvia Cuenca Jr Ortiz Miriam Sullivan Dotti Anita Taylor;
Uptown Vibz w/ACarter Jr d,Skip Garrett b, Joey djimbe, Lenzy Wallace Jr g.
Nick produced a Latin Jazz CD Demo with Dotti Anita Taylor p/fl, MAsetta bass, Alvin Terry d.
NMathis received CT's 2004 Distinguished Advocate for the Arts Award at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT.
Afrikan Amerikan Jazz 2003 new millennium highlights: Big Daddy's CTV Rue Bourbon Live w/MichaelAsetta, AlvinBCarter, Jr, ChristopheChalamet, Paulette, JeanDavis, NormanGage, SonjaGayles, Joey, DottiAnitaTaylor, ChristineRobinson; Hartford Public Library w/JenClark, MAsetta & SGayles; Nick was interviewed, & her compositions aired on Jeri Gardner's Great Black Music Show, WTCC 90.7 FM; April National Jazz Awareness month NMAAJ performed @ The Director's Gallery Frank Pane's abstract watercolors show w/MAsetta, CChalamet, SGayles, Joey, MikeScott; Mathis produced a promo CD w/Kent Hewitt, MAsetta, ACarter Jr; w/MAsetta, Artie Dixson, d, & KHewit they experienced another exciting crowd pleasing performance @ Sankofa Kuumba/Vision Hope's Listen to the Voices of our Children Cultural Festival; enjoyed tremendous sucess at The Bushnell in The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N XVIII FREE Jazz Concert w/Ricky Alfonso, trp; Claire Arenius, dr; Jim Argiro, p; MAsetta, bass; Ann Belmont g; Denise Best, voice; AlCarterJr. dr, Martha Colby, cel, Jean Davis, Kalyn Dean, trp; Melanie Dyer, viola; Sonja Gayles, fl; Joey, djmbe; Rozanne Levine, clarinet/bamboo fl; Bill Lowe, tbn/tuba; Paulette, shekere; Libby Richman, asx; Megan Sesma, harp; DottiAnita Taylor, voice/fl; Deborah Weisz, tbn; Mark Whitecage, alto; the multi-generational feast for the senses spotlighted Aminata Michelle Greene Camara's Sangbanyani Fare D'Afrique and MORE.
Afrikan Amerikan Jazz 2002: Hartford Public Library annual Black History Celebration w/AlexNakimovski, MAsetta, MScott; National Women’s History Month,Trinity College w/AAJ New Millenium All Stars: RickyAlfonso, BlancaAllen, MikeAsetta, JenifferClark, DeniseBest, JeanDavis, KalynDean, MelanieDyer, TiaFuller, SylathiaGiles, BettyHillmon, Joey, RozanneLevine, SueMaskaleris, PriyaKalyan-Masih, LibbyRichman, FrancesMcAlpineSharp, Paulette, KerstenStevens, FrancescaTanksley, DottiAnitaTaylor, MarkWhitecage, MichelleLynnGreene Aminata Camara'sSanbangyiFareD'Afrique.
Performed w/AAJ All Stars: JimArgiro, BAllen, MAsetta, JDavis, KDean, MDyer, Sonja Gayles, BHillmon, Joey, RLevine, PaulLombardo, AllisonMiller, VirginiaMayhew, Paulette, LRichman, MiriamSullivan, DATaylor, DeborahWeisz, MWhitecage in the annual September Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N Jazz Concert.
Nicki was featured on Big Daddy's Rue Bourbon CTV Show w/Introspection Personified Foundation International, Inc. in New Haven
West Greenville, NC - Pitt Community Development Corporation's Annual Benefit w/Carroll Dashiell's Band
Hartford's First Night NMAAJ included Mary DiPaola, Al Carter Jr, SGayles, Joey, & Brian Jenkins.
2001 Venues: Sing A Woman’s Song, Civic Cen Hfd CT w/JClark, MScott, Paul Shanley, Joey; Borders Books & Music w/LTracey’s Something Cool
J&J Activities in Houston, TX w/Ron Cole Quintet; "...the raging rainstorm seemed to vanish. Nick's voice lit the night. Nick Mathis reigned in Houston!" Linda
Holiday performance for the University of the District of Columbia‘s Business Association produced by Professor Bill Carroll; Hartford First Night AAJ w/JClark, Joey, MScott, LTracey.
Mathis produced CD w/Jennifer Clark p, Michael Asetta b, Michael Scott d, Joey djimbe, bgv, Paulette, shekere bkgrd vocals: FrancesMcAlpineSharp, ChristineRobinson; promo CD with Dotti Anita Taylor p/fl, Michael Asetta bass, Alvin Terry dums.
In addition to producing The Many Colors of a W*O*M*A*N jazz concerts celebrating jazzwomen for 22 years, Nick sings from coast to coast, in Mexico, Japan, Cuba, Canada; is a GHAC Individual Artist Fellowship/New Boston Fund 2008, & an UAI Best Performance award recipient. She accepted International Women In Jazz Impact Award, plaque, letter, corsage along with other awardees Lil Hardin-Armstrong, Legacy; Vi Redd/NancyWilson, Lifetime Achievement; JaneIraBloom, Master Artist, Jazz Master; DrBillyTaylor, Man of the Year; NnennaFreelon, Trailblazer; KathyRodriguez, MerylZimmerman, VanessaAzzarelli, Youth-In-Jazz, at St. Peter’s Church in NYC; received two dozen yellow roses from premiere US Jazz Ambassador/vocalist, Melba Joyce; 2005 Albert Pertiller Audience Award recipient. NMathis is a New England Foundation for the Arts Meet The Composer awardee; a member of International Association for Jazz Education/African American Jazz Caucus/AAJCVocalCmtee founding member.
As an actor Nick performs in throughout the U.S.; writes and recites poetry; and has written a manuscript about her first trip to the Motherland.
Nicki sings in English, Español, Português & Italian. Her first self produced demo CD entitled Itapuã, contains several of her compositions, and introduces the title song, Itapuã - first aired on S. Elaine Johnson's WKND Jazz Transformation program & Chuck Obuchowski’s WWUH FM jazz radio show announcing Nicki’s IWJ Impact Award. Itapuã was inspired by a trip to Brasil with the Essence Travel Club. Her music is enjoyed by the DC area audience on WPFW 89.3 FM Sophie's Parlor. She is 1st Runner Up Ms Senior CT 2004. Following one of her appearances in El Paso, TX Nick received a Certificate of Appreciation from Second Baptist Church/Choir (accompanied by her cousin, pianist/singer Joyce Roberts).
Mathis is first Black female Choir Director (Second Baptist Church) to sing at Liberty Hall, El Paso, TX; served as Master Artist for GHAC's Neighborhood Music Studio; is a Billboard Songwriter Certificate of Achievement Recipient for "Make Some Kind of Magic" composition, judged by Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, et al.
During her travels west, Nick was a guest of Billy Townes' band @ Sunland Park Casino w/Marty Olivas, Demetirius Williams, Jim Foster.
NMathis opened one of the Artists Collective's Jazz Series at The Craftery, & tore the house down w/enchanting, soulful renditions of "Little Sunflower" and "Going to Chicago"; performed at Reader's Feast & guest appeared at the Collective's Poetry/music event in their new location where she has a brick with her name in their paved entrance.
Nick has donated her extraordinary talent to many including The March of Dimes, McCall Neighborhood Center, SAND, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, J & J Adult Activities, CMS Theater Company; Vital Element Productions, Inc,; CT African American Parade Committee, Introspection Personified Foundation International, Lawrence Pertillar Drama Society Capital Community College, Excellent Way of Middletown Adopt a Familly Thelethon for hurricain survivors, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reception in their hometown, El Paso; others.
Favorites: Album: Billy's Holiday's Lady In Satin;
Vocal technician: Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis
Vocalist: Sarah Vaughan, June Christy;
Listened to most: Nancy Wilson, Jesse Belvin, Nina Simone,
Arthur Prysock, Oscar Petterson, Erroll Garner
Stole from most: above + Dakota Staton, Aretha Franklin, Dionne & Dee Dee Warwick, Pat Suzuki, Fifth Dimension, Peggy Lee, Julie Kelly, Rabecca Parris, Anita Baker, Ernestine Anderson, Shirley Horn, Cynthia McRae Tyson, Nnenna Freelon, Dee Dee Bridgewater & more
Stealing from right now: Luis Miguel; Natalie Cole
Impressive Range: Ima Sumac, Cissy Houston on Ain No Way,
Rachel Farrell;
Influenced/encouraged to develop own voice/relationship w/audience listening to Toni Harper/Vicki Castle, observing Gloria Lynn
Learned how to develop a set from Sammy Benskin
Stage presence admired most: Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt;
Smile: Toni Maise, Abby Lincoln, Dee Dee Bridgewater;
Step-to-it atittude admired most: Kim Williams, Nita Zarif, Tina Turner;
Inspired by working w/Bertha Hope to work w/other jazzwomen;
First compeling listen at 13: Billy Holiday's rendition of Gloomy Sunday
Way of life: loving self/family/people, working on the joy of life/living & sharing/continual learning
Hobbies: reading autobiographies; dancing/walking, theatre
Saving Grace: music
Latest adopted saying from the movie The Great Debaters: ...doing what I gotta do to do what I wanna do
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Press/Reviews
...If the looking glass were asked, Mirror, mirror on the wall who was the coolest of them all? The answer would be Nicki Mathis... Ken Flynn, El Paso Herald Post
Dear Nikki:
Thanks again for an outstanding performance. The band and the audience really appreciated it. Hope to work with you again soon. Bob
...and another new singer- and what a GEM! she counted off such a fast swing- I said to myself HUH? and she meant it! you knew where you wanted it Ms. Nick Mathis! Taught me somethin! Wow! your amazing! they LOVED you! I cant wait to hear more! Thank you for sharing that with us! ... LaRe, JazzFeverJam,SugarBar NYC
Thank you for performing at the Festival's Lunch and Evening Concert Series. We appreciated having Nicki Mathis' Afrikan Amerikan Jazz on our stage to engage and entertain audiences in downtown New Haven. We are glad to know that such diverse programming is possible in our region. Thank you again, Melissa Huber, Program
Manager, 12thAnnual International Arts & Ideas Festival
Arts/Ideas 12 Annual International Festival
Tuesday, Jun 19 04:09pmjeff wrote:
Again, sad how there aren't that many comments on the acts. Does this type of audience not know how to use a computer? Nonetheless, I stopped by the green today and was pleased to listen to Nicki Mathis'African Amerikan Jazz. Nikki, perchance you read this, I'm the person who bought a cd from you after the show, speaking to you for a bit. As a matter of fact I'm listening to the CD as I type. Good Jazz puts you in an ethereal zone where all is good in life. You can close your eyes and let the sounds carry your body off to another plain of existance, or you can open your eyes to watch the incredible craftsmanship of the band Nicki has brought together. Altogether, a much needed and appreciated diversion from this thing we call life. Thanks, Nikki!
Greetings from Bourbon Street,Thanks again for bringing such wonderful,professional musicans to our TV studio & Rue Bourbon. I definietly want you to bring back the whole ensemble for next year & not necessarily Womens month. Big Daddy
...sing everyday... Eric Dolphy
A silver timbered Texan.
Owen Mc Nally, Courant Music critic, Hartford, CT
...one classy swinging chanteuse - the dynamic Nick Mathis- The Jazz Messenger, Connecticut Jazz Confederation
The Week’s Best Hartford Advocate
The annual Many Colors of a Woman jazz concert is a success in Hartford September 2008, By Robert Cooper, The Hartford Advocate:
Lots of things contribute to the makings of a great female jazz singer, beside just a great singing voice: a stylishly graceful wardrobe, a laid back (but spunky) demeanor, and a connection with the audience. Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington and Nancy Wilson all had (have)(sic) it and so, too, does Hartford's own Nicki Mathis.
Thank you for an outstanding performance...I hope you will return next summer for a repeat performance...
Elizabeth Barnes, University of Connecticut, Farmington,CT
...Your poetry reading, song and dance were a perfect compliment...everyone wants you back...
JoAnn P. Miller, U.S. Coast Guard, New London, CT
Dear Nikki, you are a Star of Bright Dimension
Citizen Carrie S. Perry (Mayor, Hartford, CT
Incomparable Texas bred Musical Treasure...
Linda, Houston, TX
Your renditions of “The Greatest Love Of All”, “Pennies From Heaven,” and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing were among the best I have heard...”
Bettye R. Fletcher, New London, CT
...Her style ranges from the soul sounds of Goin’ Out of My Head, It Must Be Him, Misty, and Kansas City to such jazz standards as Green Dolphin Street. El Paso Times Sundial
Your voice expresses who you are and you deficiently shine on and off stage…Your voice carries a special message to KEEP JAZZ ALIVE!!! Carolyn Forbes
I sat there for a long time before I realized ‘They’re all women! Gwen Weddington
I remember watching your performance at Keney park last year. I smiled the entire time -- you were magic! A few weeks ago my husband and I brought our children (3 and 5 years old) to see you at the library. They loved you too! ...You are class and energy!!! Latanya Farrell
Nick – Thank you so very much for inspiring and teaching me – motivating me – believing in that I could do this thing called music!
I can’t believe it’s been almost ten years! …you sound and are so beautiful – thanks for your music! Sincerely, Lynn
…I really enjoyed your sense of time and musicianship and good vibe. And, it’s all about all of that. …. Let’s get it rolling! JFriedman
Dear Nicki ~ Our many thanks to you for spending the evening with us here at Avery Heights …It was a real treat to reminisce and enjoy some jazz and blues with you as our guide. Your generous spirit and obvious love of music combined in a truly splendid way. Wishing you all the best’1 with gratitude, Roseanne Ganley
What an experience of style, grace, class & culture! I enjoyed myself very much at your annual event & very much look forward to coming again. … JHdgemon
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