NIKKI ARMSTRONG BIO Nikki Armstrong has been compared to a wide varied of singers such as Anita O’Day, Tina Turner, ​ Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Noted for her soulful interpretations of material from standards to rock, she strives to perform every song “in the now and never the same way twice!” ​ ​ Inspired by the great jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee as well as the great Soul and R&B artists, James Brown and Tina Turner, She has studied music and voice in Boston, LA and New York, most notably with the great arranger Hal Schaefer (Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe). Writing and doing session work in Los Angles and Sydney, Australia for the first few years was fun, but it was live performing she craved and New York City was calling to her. For the past 15 years Nikki has performed regularly all around the New York Tri­State area with her bands, Whole Lotta Blues (blues/rock/funk) and The Nikki Armstrong Project (jazz/blues), as well as ​ ​ ​ ​ performing for stretches in the Florida Keys and Caribbean Cruise ship stints. As featured guest vocalist, she has performed and or recorded with artists like Melvin Sparks (Acid Jazz Guitarist) and the Great Les Paul (Father of the Electric Guitar). An important voice in the New York area Blues and Jazz scene Nikki was on the Board of Directors of the New York Blues & Jazz Society for over 8 years as Musician’s Liaison; coordinating, producing, and performing in noted Blues and Jazz events at venues as Birdland, BB King Blues Club and Sirius Radio in NYC as well as many benefits for causes such as Katrina/NOLA. In 2007 Nikki became a DJ on the air with her own show Blues in the Grooves ​ broadcasting every Tuesday afternoon on WFDU 89.1FM, www.wfdu.fm ​ As a producer, Nikki has produced many live radio and internet video broadcast with multiple blues & jazz artists and several tribute shows, including Woodstock in which she performers her “Just Janis” show, a tribute to Janis Joplin. Plus, most recently her “Lady Sings the Blues” show has a regular recurring spot on the B.B. King’s Blues Club stage in Times Square. Nikki has five independent CD releases…Blues and Jazz, Live at B.B. King’s, Turnin’ & Burnin’, New, Borrowed & Blue and the latest 2012 release Now and Then. She and her band(s) of very accomplished musicians perform their unique arrangements of a wide variety of material as well as her original compositions. They can be seen regularly in Lucille’s at BB King Blues Club in Times Square. Some of the Artists Nikki has opened for are; The Commitments, Joan ​ ​ Osborne, Dave Mason, Dickey Betts, Hubert Sumlin, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstafunk, John Tropea Band, Johnny A, Coco Montoya, Cornell Dupree, and Parliament Funkadelic. Most recently, Nikki has resumed touring outside of the New York area. In 2012 she was also inducted nd into the New York Blues Hall of Fame. Recently back from her 2 ​ European Tour where she played to ​ packed houses in France and Germany, Nikki just never seems to lose momentum. “…and Nikki Armstrong was fantastic. No lie! During Nikki's performance, a man near me who was in a wheelchair, got up and danced!” – Journal News NY ​ “Powerful/from the bottom of soul­filled song well with a serpents unpredictability, Nikki can sink her teeth into the skin of any style of song and make you want to get bit again.”­ Mister G, DJ 91.7FM WHUS Storrs, CT ​ "When I saw The Commitments at BB King's, the opening act , Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues, was a dynamite little redhead with a great, big voice and a ton of stage presence (and great hair and great legs to boot) and her band is the poo ­ extremely tight, great groove." ­ From a fan ​ “She’s got that smoky, sexy sound I love. Nikki’s got it all! ­Hal Schaefer (Arranger for Peggy Lee & Marilyn Monroe) ​ “Nikki’s performance was superb! The band is excellent!" ­Melvin Sparks­ Legendary ‘Acid Jazz’ Guitarist ​ “Nikki has an amazing breadth of styles and vocal range, as she transformed choice selections of American blues, funk, rock, soul, jazz and pop into sultry, soulful gems.” ­Lynn Paret –Reviewer for Cliff View Pilot.com ​ “It’s like sitting next to a Nuclear Reactor!” – R. Ludmerer, Music Reveiwer ​ “Nikki Armstrong is a musical journey you have to experience. Her lineup of musicians is second to none and you never know who will show up to jam!” ­ Bob Suede (Producer, Performer, Writer w/ Richie Havens) ​ “Her voice ages like fine wine.” ­ Elliott Randall (Guitarist ‘Steely Dan’) ​ “Nikki’s transcendent performance communicates her passion directly to the listener.” ­ Larry Baeder (Guitarist w. ​ Chuck Jackson, Carly Simon & Bo Diddley) ​ “She reminds me of Anita O’Day” ­Les Paul (Father of the Electric Guitar) ​ “Armstrong's wonderfully expressive vocals and her contagious enthusiasm are well suited to (the) intimate atmosphere. Nikki belted out "I'm a Woman," groaned and growled through "I Just Want to Make Love to You," turned sultrily playful on "It Ain't the Meat (It's the Motion)," pure bluesy on "Lover Man," buoyant on "Fly Me to the Moon," and absolutely soulful on "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." ­Thomas Kitts (Author, “Ray Davies: Not Like ​ ​ Everybody Else” ) ​ “Nikki is a great performer, without a doubt an excellent singer with an excellent voice and strong musicality to match!" ­Michael Hill (Singer/Songwriter) ​ “You know it’s authentic when a girl from the San Fran bay area can make a true believer of a true Southerner. Nikki Armstrong does it. Nikki Armstrong is true blue, baby. Sit n’ listen for a spell and believe for yourself.” ­David ​ Esposito (New York– In Tune Magazine) “…Nikki delivers with incredible passion and a voice that would melt gold!” ­Peter Berman (CNN, ABC Photo Journalist) “What a performer. You've got it all: class, power, dynamics, showmanship, and the most amazing voice” – ​ Terry Silverlight (Award winning Songwriter & Drummer) “I can't thank you enough for your wonderful performance. Our phones were on fire during your live music set. ​ YOU were in total control of your band of great musicians, who backed you up to the hilt under your very professional leadership. Listening to you really knocks me out!“ ­ Bill Nolan (Host of WPKN FM’S Antique Blues, the ​ longest running rhythm and blues program in the U.S.) Sweet, Sweet Nikki, the pitfalls of the "music business" is something we are all subjected to, at one time or another! In your case, you have so much talent and smarts going for you (besides your beauty) you must not let it deter you... Expect it, and I'm certain you will surely climb that next plateau!! ­ Vinnie Bell, Legendary session guitarist/inventor ​ Credits and Collaborations Larry Baeder Guitarist with Bo Diddley, Dr. John, Paul Simon Jeff “Skunk” Baxter Guitarist with The Doobie Brothers Tim Bogart ‘Hot Tuna’ ­ ‘Beck, Bogart and Appice’ Danny Draher Guitarist with Albert King and Hubert Sumlin Ivan Neville Leader of the popular “Dumpstaphunk” Band Pete Levin Keyboardist/Arranger Gil Evans Orchestra, Paul Simon ​ Steve Ferrone Drummer for Average White Band & Steve Winwood ​ ​ Barry Goldberg Keyboards w/Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Bloomfield Nicky Hopkins Pianist w/John Lennon, Jeff Beck, Rolling Stones, The Who Dave Keyes Keyboards w/Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Gladys Knight Lenny Macaluso Producer with Tina Turner & songwriter for ‘The Spinners’ ‘Blue’ Lou Marini Saxophonist for The Blues Brothers Howard McCrary Musical Director for Chaka Khan Jon Paris Guitarist for Bo Diddley/Harmonica player for Edgar Winter Les Paul Father of the Electric Guitar and Music Legend Elliot Randall Guitarist with Steely Dan Carmine Rojas Bassist with Rod Stewart & David Bowie Hal Schaefer Pianist/Arranger for Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe Jason Scheff Bassist/singer with ‘Chicago’ ​ Jeff Simon Drummer with ‘George Thorogood’ Melvin Sparks Famed Guitarist of Acid Jazz, Funk Jerry & Jimmy Vivino Musicians on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” ​ ​ Gene Cornish Guitarist The Young Rascals ​ Anthony Jackson Bassist with Chaka Khan, Chick Corea, Inventor of the 6 String Bass Michael Hill International Blues Guitarist/Songwriter Bernard “Pretty” Purdie The most recorded Drummer in History – James Brown, Joe Cocker Jerry Jermott Bassist with BB King, Ray Charles, The Allman Bros. Aretha Franklin Dr. Lonnie Smith Soul Jazz/Acid Jazz Organist – Russell Malone Jazz Guitarist with Jimmy Smith, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr. John Tropea Famed Guitarist with Deodato, Van Morrison, The Blues Brothers, etc. Gil Parris Guitarist with Dr. John, Blood Sweat & Tears, Diane Schuur Lou Pallo Guitarist with Les Paul, Tony Bennett, Jose Feliciano Vitali Imereli World Renown Jazz Violinist ​ ​ Nikki Armstrong Nikki Armstrong Strong­arms the Blues The downside to researching music sometimes is that you can only find a few, limited tracks. And when you’re hunting down an artist like Nikki Armstrong, soulful, sultry, smoky, swarthy, and any other s­synonyms you can think of, this can be a very discouraging thing. But fear not, gentle readers! Northeast In­Tune digs deeper to bring its fan base what it wants! On her live cut, a cover of “Love the One You’re With,” Armstrong actually actively seeks out audience members to kiss each other and advocates a kind of love that’s missing in a barren and soulless pop landscape. And Ms. Armstrong is anything but pop. She is emotive, she is funky, and her backing band, Whole Lotta Blues, plays all of their own instruments (and well, too. Shocking). Her blues sound is original while still employing many of the techniques that hearken back to the greats: Janis, James, and Ella.