Michelle Nicolle, we surrender!

Bastion Prague last night, Michelle Nicolle – voc; Ronny Ferrella – dr; Libor Šmoldas – g; Tomáš Baroš – b. Four absolutely top musicians in the world called jazz and yet… Sorry guys, this night belonged to The Lady of Jazz. Michelle Nicolle, what an absolutely new, exatings and pleasant experience for me and for many others it seemed. I shouldn’t have been surprised, she already has a very impressive resume, a bookshelf full of all kinds of awards, she’s traveled all over the world with her music. As you can guess she composes her own material, her last CD named 10, consists of 9 tunes of which 7 have her signature, impressive, yes…  Last night she gave us a balanced setlist of her own music and old jazz standards. I’ve checked this lady out on social media, brilliant videos etc. but this has nothing to do with real life… When she starts it’s not only about singing even if she owns a very good voice with a respectable vocal range, the highs and lows she owns are not that usual in one and the same person. But here is something else, I can’t even put it in writing, she takes hold of the audience in a way that all one can think of is don’t let go, don’t stop… Her interpretation of Sophisticated Lady, a tune many female singers avoid because they don’t want to be compared to big E, but  Michelle makes it sound like one of the greatest tributes I have ever heard. It was like I could hear a silent approval from somewhere far away. I’m pretty sure when you hear the name Australia, the first thought that comes to your mind it’s not jazz, not even the second or third thought, so time to start rethinking, what an ambassador for her country, among everything else. 

 

Michelle (and drummer Ronny Ferrella?) is on a mini European tour and she will honor the Czech Republic with two more concerts, on Friday 13th  she’s to be found at KC Beseda, Klánovice at 19.00 and on Saturday 14th in Vraňany. Friday’s concert has the following lineup according to the organizers, Michelle, Jan Fečo-b. and Libor Šmoldas-g.  Australia is not our next door neighbour and I have no idea when this lady of jazz will appear here the next time, so go for it now when you have the chance, you wont regret it, trust me on this. See you in Klánovice on Friday, because that’s where you’ll find me.