Michelle Nicolle is celebrated as Australia's finest female jazz singer.
Music Victoria Award (2024), Bell Award (2017), Mo Award 2001, 2003 & 2004, National Jazz Award (1998) winner and A.R.I.A Finalist (Australian ‘Grammy’s’ equivalent) in 2001, 2004, and 2009.
Michelle Nicolle with Larry Koonse - Releases March 7, 2025
Meeting musicians minutes before the gig you’re about to play, is quite a natural thing for me when I’m travelling abroad. I met Larry Koonse at a soundcheck in January 2020 for my first ever performance in Los Angeles. Our dear mutual friend Cathy Segal-Garcia booked us both. She knew. Launching into intricate, yet also intimate music together, in front of an audience with Larry that night; I knew, too. The beautiful combination of exciting, surprising with cosy, real sympatico is how I feel playing with Larry.
Although I’ve always recorded with my Quartet in Australia, some of my most favourite albums of all time are duo records: Ella and Joe Pass, Tuck’n’Patti. When it came to planning this, my 11th album, and first U.S. release I knew I needed to record with Larry.
From choosing the songs, chatting through arrangements, facing each other in the studio (with so much laughter and also tears) to the detailed mixing and mastering process this album really is the answer to the most moving line from a song, ever: (track 10) “and when you stand before the candles on a cake, oh let me be the one to hear the silent wish you make”. Thankyou, Larry!
To my friend and mentor, Cathy Segal-Garcia, I love you! John Leftwich, working with you was a ‘pinch me’ moment. So much love also to Ronny, Ella-Lu, Tamara Nicolle and Lee Topham. I honestly couldn’t “wish” so big without you.
Recorded June 17th, 18th 2024 at Leftway Studio, Studio City, CA
Engineered and mixed by Jonn Leftwich
Produced by Cathy Segal-Garcia, John Leftwich and Michelle Nicolle
Mastered by Ron Boustead, Sherman, CA
Photography: Craig Allyn Cochrane
“All Rise”
Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra
with Wynton Marsalis
(Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Conductor Benjamin Northey,
Michelle Nicolle, Emma Pearson, MSO Chorus, Consort of Melbourne).
“The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra lived up to its reputation as supreme interpreters of this music, its garrulous horns meshing in seamlessly with the strings and percussion of the MSO. The large chorus – massive in sound – was used sparingly but always to dramatic effect, heightening the emotive reach of the music.
Michelle Nicolle, a renowned local jazz vocalist, was a standout, her resounding gospel cry of ‘I Say All Rise’ piercing the soul”
— Des Cowley, ABR ARTS
THE BRUNSWICK GREEN
EVERY THURSDAY SINCE 2007
Since 2007 Michelle has been playing in the gorgeous front room of the 'Brunny Green' every Thursday night, singing and reimagining your jazz requests. The Melbourne Jazz scene is alive and as amazing as ever. As a kicker into 2022 Michelle is re-jigging her residency by featuring a different line-up each week.
Some of Australia's finest and most creative musicians will join Michelle and they’ll be bouncing off classic tunes/not-so-classic tunes, some requests, and most importantly off each other!
Book your ticket here.
