Nicole Edwards

Bio:

Yukon-based Nicole Edwards blazed her musical trail as an unplugged songstress with a voice equal parts grit, smoke and confection. The ability to sink her voice to the low end of the musical register and rocket it back up to the top of the scale has served her well while grinding gravel-tinged songs from the stage.

Her first solo CD, “on with my day,” released in 2001, earned her a West Coast Music Award nomination and an invitation to perform at the event’s gala ceremonies, in Vancouver. Her second effort, Joy Seeker, in 2005, solidified her reputation and marked her territory as the Yukon’s premiere folk-rock diva.

Nicole’s elastic-like vocal range and intrinsic curiosity led her to explore other musical flavours on her third CD. With the 2008 release of Sparkin’, a collection of jazz standards, Nicole has added one more genre to her repertoire and another adjective to join the several that commonly precede her: folk-rock-blues-jazz singer.

Musically fluent in both English and French, Nicole has entertained small, intimate crowds with her acoustic guitar and stirred hundreds of people to shake their rumps on the dnace floor with her high-energy, amped-up sets. She’s shared stages at the Dawson City Music Festival, Hugh’s Room in Toronto, and the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver with Bif Naked, Sylvia Tyson, Ken Whitley and 54 40. Nicole recently opened for the Sam Roberts Band at the Whitehorse Convention Centre, after which Sam described Nicole as “the bearer of gifts” (for the stout beer she bought for the band in Haines, Alaska) and as the “singer of beautiful songs.”

When Nicole isn’t in the studio or performing, she can be found at her home in Mt. Lorne, a pocket-sized community of 380, a half hour’s drive from Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital.

“Edwards’ voice croons over these tunes with a supple purr. Her voice enunciates the flavour of each song, bringing the listener into the world of each song to expert effect…… Edwards’ voice is unique in the music of the Yukon. She is a real singer of songs, which is to say she not only sings the words, she expresses them. Her voice is supple in the lower register and able to reach the heights of a soprano at will. This ability serves these songs well, allowing Edwards to call these songs her own by virtue of her vocal skill. “ Bill Polonsky, What’s Up Yukon

“Warm, rich, playful and wonderfully animated in Edwards’ expressive, clear voice, Sparkin’ is sure to please Edwards’ fans, jazz listeners and music lovers alike.” Keely Grasser, Almaguin Forestser, Ontario

“The album was recorderd live and perhaps for this reason it conjures up images of a smoky jazz lounge. Although it was recorded in the studio, you can almost hear the clinking of glasses and whispers from the tables around you. Then the spotlight shines on the singer at centre stage who draws you in as she croons soulfully, adding her own fun and flavour to each standard she sings.” Chris Oke, Yukon News

“Her voice can portray many emotions and convey the joy that she feels for the songs presented on her new CD titled "Sparkin'". Nicole's delivery is at times sultry, always bluesy and full of life. Her ability to switch between French and English so readily adds another dimension to her performance. I was also impressed by how well her original tunes fit with the other songs presented on this recording. That is no mean feat considering the pedigree of songwriters including Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer and the Gerswhin brothers. Equally comfortable on ballads and up tempo numbers, Ms. Edwards has put together a set of songs that holds something for everyone in her audience.” Steve Gedrose, CBC radio jazz columnist

“Then there are the guaranteed hits such as Nicole Edwards. Jones (DCMF Producer) says she is “such a highlight of music festivals” and she has just released a “terrific” jazz CD, Sparkin’” What’s Up Yukon

"Her lyrics are full of freshness and emotion. A springtime energy that leads us right from the first song into the magical universe of Nicole Edwards. This album (on with my day) is her, in all her beauty and simplicity." Marie-Helene Comeau, L'Aurore Boreal, Whitehorse

"Joy Seeker is a work of fearsome love and exquisite pain. Nicole Edwards' songs are an open book to her heart – deeply moving and personal words of struggle and adoration. Her blues are a glow of sunshine peeking through the sadness of a rainy day. Graceful, candid, rock n roll beauty, oh so bittersweet." ~David Prodan, Producer, Frostbite Music Festival

Nicole started singing on Broadway, a dirt road outside the village of South River in the near north of Ontario, Canada where she grew up. Now most of her songs are created on her homestead in the Hamlet of Mt Lorne in the Yukon Territory.

Nicole’s life changed dramatically with the onset of an auto-immune disease called scleroderma. (See www.scleroderma.ca for more info.) Nicole took a 2 year break from music because of the progression of the scleroderma. Even though managing her health has become full time work, Nicole paced herself in the recording studio so that she could continue to be creative and share her music with others. The result: “Joy Seeker” speaks of dealing with illness and of love. Despite her current battle with a debilitating and chronic illness, Nicole's artistry and passion for life charge through this CD with a vigor that makes you fall in love with her music all over again. This recording has been called inspiring:

“You are an inspiration.....your lyrics are so meaningful...you are living them from the inside out.” ~Irene Woods, Penticton, BC, living with Multiple Sclerosis

“Went to my friend's wake last night and another (scleroderma) support group member rode with me. I played the first two cuts from Joy Seeker for her while we drove. There's something about those two songs that hits home every time.” ~Kevin Ramplin, Papillion, Nebraska, living with Scleroderma

Member Since:

December 22, 2006

Members:

Influences:

Annie Lennox, Cassandra Wilson, Michelle Shocked, Etta James, Erykah Badu, Harmonuim, Paul Piche, Ella Fitzgerald, Neil Diamond, Maria Muldaur, Biff Naked, Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Rita Chiarelli, Bonnie Raitt, Dee Dee Bridgewater

Record Label:

Berry Pickin' Productions