Michelle Nicolle Quartet - Mancini (2013)

Newmarket Music is pleased to announce the release of Mancini, the eight offering from respected Australian jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle. A wonderfully executed collection of songs in homage of one of the world’s most iconic composers, Henry Mancini, best remembered for his film and television scores.

This collection of songs came about because of an engagement the Michelle Nicolle Quartet had at the Melbourne Recital Centre in July 2012 as part of The American Songbook Series. "I chose to focus on Mancini - reworking some arrangements we've recorded on previous CD's and arranging a few more. The most unlikely song of the two concert nights was Peter Gunn. Nearly everyone I met after the show wanted a CD with that song on it and, of course, Moon River…so here it is, a studio version of the concert!"
"Even an obviously-sincere ‘tribute’ album often proves dull, redundant - a pale shadow of its dedicatee or a strained, even gimmicky attempt to escape that shadow. Michelle Nicolle’s Mancini is a sparkling exception - hugely playful, vibrant, inventive, interactive, intimate, shlock-free, but warm hearted. Nicely audacious, full of wit, sometimes very tender, singer Michelle, guitarist Geoff Hughes, double bassist Tom Hughes and drummer Ronny Ferella are also deeply respectful: sometimes a song has a very surprising ‘ride’, but never at the cost of the song itself." ~ Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National.

Mancini travels from two of the most well known pieces in history, Moon River and Peter Gunn theme, to lesser known treasures like the beautifully crafted Dreamsville. Widely regarded as the finest jazz singer in the country Michelle Nicolle continues to impress, with 2012 performances including Asia Pacific Festival (Siberia), The Schlot (Berlin) Wangarratta Jazz festival and a national tour with her quartet.“Nicolle has killer qualities as a vocalist….a mix of uncanny precision in timing and phrasing, stretching and compressing words and notes to perfection, and an inventiveness that doesn’t let up.” ~ John McBeath, The Age.

In addition to releasing eight albums, the Michelle Nicolle Quartet 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 was the 2001, 2003 and 2004 Mo Award winner, 1998 National Jazz Award winner and, 2001 and 2004 ARIA finalist.
Mancini is also available to purchase at JB Hi-Fi stores across Australia and all good independent retailers.

Tracklist:

1. Moon River
2. Charade
3. It Had Better Be Tonight
4. I Love You (And Don't Forget It)
5. Dreamsville
6. Mr. Lucky
7. Peter Gunn
8. Whistling Away the Dark
9. The Days of Wine and Roses
10. Two For the Road