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Michelle Nicolle

B Ed, Assoc Dip Jazz (Adelaide)

Biography

Mo Award 2001, 2003 and 2004, National Jazz Award (1998) winner and ARIA Finalist 2001,2004, Michelle Nicolle is a jazz musician whose chosen instrument is Voice. Also an arranger and band-leader, Michelle started her musical career at the age of eight, studying the violin in the famous wine region, Barossa Valley, South Australia. Now based in Melbourne, she is celebrated as Australia's finest female jazz singer.

Known for her ability to get right to the heart of a song, as well as being an improviser Michelle has continually developed and nurtured her art form with the help of her quartet. As well as releasing 6 CDs the MNQuartet has toured extensively throughout Australia and internationally, with performances including Jakjazz (Indonesia) 2008, Turkey, Estonia, Finland in 2007 and North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland (2005).

Michelle’s new 2009 CD The Loveliest Night (ABC Jazz) is a collection of jazz standard songs written between 1916 and 1963; all explored in the MNQuartet’s unique style.

Michelle is involved in many other musical projects including her ‘standards’ band, The Nonchalants, the What Reason Quartet (with guitarist Stephen Magnusson). She sings 1st soprano in The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus and as a freelance vocalist for various recording session work.

Praise for Michelle Nicolle:

'Oh yeah. She's really cool!' Kurt Elling, Fremantle Voice, Jan. 2002

'an exceptional singer who deserves attention as an original and inspiring Jazz artist.' Cadence Magazine (USA), June 2003

'Michelle Nicolle stands above any other jazz singer in the country.' Weekend Australian, Dec. 2003

'Michelle impressed from the start with her talents, not only as a vocalist with a very wide octave range but also as an excellent improviser." Bangkok Post, October 2004