Nicki Parrott and the Swingfluencers play Byron

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed bassist and singer Nicki Parrott is heading for a hometown gig with her trio, delighting jazz fans in Byron on May 30.

From her standing ovation at the recent Byron Speakeasy, Parrott jetted to Europe. Performing regularly at major festivals worldwide, including Newport Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival and the Newport Beach Jazz Party, Parrott spoke with this masthead mid-tour.

“I am having a fantastic time – audiences have been very enthusiastic, and the shows have been sold out every night,” she said from Ascona in Switzerland.

“I’ve been here for 10 days, playing concerts every evening and then some more shows in Switzerland before heading to Germany and Austria. We play every night until I head home on May 12.

“I have been touring Europe for approximately 28 years now, so I have many musician friends and fans that always come to the concerts.

“It feels like a musical family here, and it’s wonderful that you can travel by car and play in small villages and large cities all over Europe.

“Here in the Italian part of Switzerland, the food and the coffee have been excellent, and, of course, adds a great deal to the ambience.”

Parrott’s ascension to the highest jazz echelons began early on. She started playing piano and flute at four and switched to double bass at 15.

While studying at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, she played with Australian jazz stars like Mike Nock, Dale Barlow, Paul Grabowsky, Bernie McGann, and Ten Part Invention.

As the bassist and vocalist for the legendary Les Paul for over a decade, Parrott worked alongside guitar greats, including Paul McCartney, Steve Miller and fellow Aussie Tommy Emmanuel.

She has performed in several Broadway shows and at most of the world’s top jazz venues, including sold-out performances at Birdland and Dizzy’s in NYC.

The list of international luminaries she has worked with is too long to recite. Still, a few include Michel Legrand, Joe Wilder, Randy Brecker, Clark Terry, Jose Feliciano, John Pizzarelli, Patti Labelle, Scott Hamilton, Lillian Boutte, and Larry Carlton.

With the glory and glamour of global accolades, Parrott is looking forward to another hometown gig. Relocating back to Australia and the region three years ago, the artist is happy to be working again with longtime collaborators, pianist Steve Russell and drummer Dave Sanders.

“Aussie audiences tend to be very open-minded musically, which allows me to play a wide variety of music, which I love to do,” she said.

“As long as it’s presented in an entertaining and musical way, the audience will be right there with you.

“I am very fortunate to play with Steve and Dave. We have been working together quite a bit since my husband and I moved back.

“They are veterans of the Aussie music scene and are creative and versatile. I feel very lucky to have a lot of opportunities to play together now.”

For tickets, visit byroncentre.com.au/theatre-events/nicki-parrott-and-her-swingfluencers