Nicki Parrott

Nicki Parrott came to New York in 1994 on an Arts Council grant from Australia to study with the internationally acclaimed bassist, Ruffus Reid. Since 2000, Nicki has played on Monday nights at the Iridium Jazz Club with the legendary guitar player and inventor, Les Paul. Nicki and her sister Lisa Parrott headlined at the prestigious Tribute to Mary Lou Williams festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in May 2002, which was broadcast on National Public Radio. She is also resident bassist with the Kitchen House Blend which premiers and performs new music by New York composers.

Since coming to New York Nicky has performed with such notable musicians as Clark Terry, Michael Legrand, Billy Taylor, Dick Hyman, Terri Thornton, Holly Hoffman, DIVA, Marlena Shaw, Monica Mancini, Patrice Rushen, Skitch Hendersen, the New York Pops Orchestra, Florida Pops Orchestra, Bucky Pizarrelli, John Pizarrelli, Warren Vache, Jr., Hally Allen, Red Holloway, Rebecca Paris, Kenny Davern, Jos Feliciano, Randy Brecher, Mike Stern, Bernard Purdie, John Tropea, David Krakauer, Howard Alden, Randy Sandke, Greg Osby, Jack Wilkins, Ken Peplowski, Johnny Frigo, Joe Wilder, Houston Person, Wycliffe Gordan, Rachel Z and Johnny Varro. Nicki has also performed in several Broadway shows such as Avenue Q, Imaginary Friends, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Summer of ’42 and Jekyll and Hyde.

Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training with the piano at the age of four, and soon after took on the flute as well. She continued to play flute and piano throughout her school years, but switched to the double bass at the age of 15 because her sister Lisa, who plays alto sax, wanted a bassist for her group. After completing high school, Nicki moved to Sydney to study jazz at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and soon after began playing with well-known Australian musicians such as Mike Noch, Dale Barlow, Paul Grabowski, Bernie McGann, and Ten Part Invention. She also toured Australia with Russian musicians Daniel Kramer and Alexander Fischer and American trumpeters Bobby Shew and Chuck Findley.

Nicki studied with various bassists in Australia, and when visiting such bassists as Ray Brown and John Clayton were in town, Nicki would take a lesion with them. She is also the recipient of two awards, the first being a scholarship to Pan Pacific Music Camps at the age of 16, and first place in 1992’s Jazz Action Society’s Annual Song Competition for her composition “Come and Get It”, which is the opening track of Nicki and Lisa’s debut CD. She was also nominated for the annual Australian Young Achievers Award by the Arts Council of Australia who granted here the funds to come to New York to study with Rufus Reid.

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7/18/11: Chuck Redd with Nicki Parrott & Bucky Pizzarelli

Accomplished drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd joins forces with bassist Nicki Parrott and renowned jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, whose legendary career has spanned more than six decades.

Chuck Redd with Nicki Parrott & Bucky Pizzarelli

Accomplished drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd joins forces with bassist Nicki Parrott and renowned jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, whose legendary career has spanned more than six decades.

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Nicki Parrott

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