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Mercedes
Nicole
Sings Straight -Ahead Jazz, with an Urban Flair!
Nancy Wilson
Ella Fitsgerald
Sarah Vaughn
Nina Simone
Peggy Lee
Dianah Washington
Luther Vandross
Duke Ellington
Billy Holiday
Ester Phillips
Etta James
Etta Jones
Diane Shur
Nat King Cole
Natalie Cole
and a host of others!
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J azz sensation Mercedes Nicole is a rich and versatile jazz performer! Her voice is amazing — rich, sultry, warm and lingering, ranging from a deep contralto to soprano. Mercedes moves from a lyrical gentleness to soulful explosions, exploring the musical journey of life.
Mercedes has built a substantial following that continues to grow and has performed at several of the finest Northwest venues, including the Triple Door, Egan's, The Crown Plaza, Jubilante's, The Wellington, The Columbia City Theatre, H.G. Bistro, The New Orleans (in Dark Divas), the Asian Art Museum, The Tacoma Art Museum and in the Micro-Soft Auditorium inside the beautiful Seattle Public Library.
Mercedes was the featured artist in February 2008 for Seattle Jazz Vespers, accompanied by the renowned pianist Overton Berry and his Trio. In the 2005 Earshot Jazz Festival, Mercedes was one of the featured artists in the "Jackson Street Jazz Poetry Session" and left the audience spellbound.
In 2007 Mercedes showcased her talents with Karen Shivers and Kimberly Reason in the jazz vocal trio Cocoa Martini, which debuted to a standing room only audience at the luxurious Triple Door main stage in downtown Seattle.
Mercedes is the writer, producer and vocalist for a jazz tribute to the late Dr. Nina Simone, entitled "Strange Fruit," which continues to be performed to standing room audiences everywhere.
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Cocoa Martini:
Cocoa Martini is a jazz ensemble featuring three outstanding vocalists — Mercedes Nicole, Karen Shivers, and Kimberly Reason — emerging on the Northwest scene today.
Backed by Bill Anschell on piano, Bernie Jacobs on the saxophone, Doug Miller on bass, and Greg Williamson on drums, the three Seattle-area women present a repertoire of jazz, pop, R&B and gospel standards in a fresh, emotionally resonate style deeply-rooted in the traditions of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae, among others.
"Our coming together came out of one of those thrilling, 'big bang' moments," says Mercedes Nicole. "I had gone to a jam session — and couldn't get in the place! Kimberly was singing 'Cry Me a River' to a sold-out crowd and bringing the house down. Afterwards, I elbowed my way inside, found Karen, and we three spent the rest of the night giving birth to Cocoa Martini."
"We love each other's sound," says Karen Shivers, who opened last year for Grammy-winner Dianne Reeves and is featured in the July issue of Earshot Jazz magazine "We sing from that intimate place inside each of us that tells our personal story — all the joys and pains we've lived through. I hear some of Dinah in Mercedes and some of Billie in Kimberly — but mostly I hear who Kimberly and Mercedes are as women in their own right: Natural, warm, and irresistibly honest."
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Winner:
Pierce College Poetry Slam 2005
Winner: Chicago Poetry Slam Open Mic 2002
Voted:
Best Emerging Jazz Vocalist- 2005
AGI Enterprises
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"Mercedes
laid it down like a pro, and keep me patting my toe!
she was amazing!"-- Mercedes Nicole sang Jazz
for the Seattle City Lights for this years Black History Program!
It was amazing! Got rave reviews!
Don Thomas
City Employee
"
I couldn't take my eyes off her!"
Don Normark
Professional Photographer and Author
"
Thank you for your clarity and fresh clean soulful sound!"
Toney Montgomery
Entertainment Entrepreneur
"
Beautiful, beyond words"
Ira Woods
Pilot, Jazz Buff
"
You have a sound somewhere between
Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughn- rich-beautiful"
Tess Guerzon-Cabrera
Owner- Jubilante's Renton WA.
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