Nicky Crayson's biography

WITH a sweeping, effortless four-octave range Nicky Crayson’s voice and musicianship makes an instant impression.

Nicky began her career as a teenager and soon found herself working at venues like The Basement (with Galapagos Duck), or the Hilton Hotel, where Tony Bennett while touring Australia, heard her and encouraged her to continue singing jazz.

Nicky has built up an impressive CV, including numerous appearances on television, and at events She has also been in demand as a jazz singing teacher, at Macquarie University, University of Newcastle and Sydney Conservatorium. Nicky also teaches musicianship and music theory.

Nicky's latest CD release 'Daydream' features her arrangements of songs by such great songwriters as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael and Cole Porter.

Nicky now has some 1,000 songs in her repertoire. “I fell in love with jazz because the interpretation of a piece is never the same,” she says.

“Improvisation brings challenge and constant interest to the music and allows each musician to bring their own spirit to the music and the group," she says.

Recordings

Daydream - Nicky Crayson and the Matt McMahon Trio
A Cafe in Venice - with Dorian Mode
The Wedding Album - various artists

To the River Again - The Music of Don Reid
Olympic theme for the Australian Olympic Games History production
Endangered Species with Galapagos Duck (ABC L38456)

Teaching

Jazz contemporary theory, styles and technique - Macquarie University
Jazz Vocals - University of Newcastle, Central Coast Conservatorium
Solo Jazz Vocal - University of Sydney, Sydney Conservatorium

Nicky has also toured Australia conducting master classes in
jazz, contemporary vocal technique and musicianship for singers.

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