Jazzcrazy is proud to profile Nicola Farnon

 

 

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A portrait of Nicola Farnon

Nicola is the middle daughter of three girls and was born in Market Lavington, Wiltshire, a relatively large village next to Salisbury Plain. Her dad is a violinist and her mum a cellist and pianist and they met at The Royal Academy of Music. From a young age Nicola (according to her mum!) expressed a desire to play the cello and the piano, so off she started and by the age of eleven had gained distinction in grade 8 on the cello and merit in grade 7 on the piano. Then boys and horse riding and swimming and going out kicked in and much to her parents' dismay the music took a back seat, for about fourteen years really!

Then at around the age of 25, having acquired a degree in Performing Arts at Middlesex Poly (as it was then known) and begun half-heartedly singing in various bands and working in various market research establishments in London, Nicola decided she wanted to sing and play double bass - just like that! Her mum and especially her dad were mad Fred Astaire fans so she had seen all the films and heard many of the tunes so initially she began by just harmonising the melodies - then one day some helpful and startled young lad introduced her to Paul Chambers. Nicola woke up!

Now based in Sheffield she has assembled herself a sparkling quintet that she regularly plays with, touring major jazz venues and festivals. The material is all her favourite jazz and Latin standards - arranged in her own inimitable fashion. As her esteemed uncle - Robert Farnon - once stated, "What a great choice of songs. What a fine group of musicians, an absolute joy."

Festival Fever Logo Marsden Jazz Festival Banner

What: Marsden Jazz Festival
Where: Marsden, West Yorkshire
When: Friday 8th October 2010 to Sunday 10th October 2010
Link(s): Marsden Jazz Festival 2010

The 19th Marsden Jazz Festival will be held from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th October 2010. As usual there will be a programme of over 80 events and stunning variety of music to suit all tastes and ages.

Live In September Logo

Tessa Smith and Mike Riley

A portrait of Tessa Smith with Mike Riley Where: The U.C.C (Click here for directions)
When: 9.00pm on Wednesday 8th September, 2010

Josie Smith and Oli Bently

A portrait of Josie Smith and Oli Bentley Where: The U.C.C (Click here for directions)
When: 9.00pm on Wednesday 22nd September, 2010

Live In October Logo

Shirley Lewis and Jack Airey

No Picture Where: The U.C.C (Click here for directions)
When: 9.00pm on Wednesday 13th October, 2010

Jenny Smith and Frank Brooker

Jenny Smith and Frank Brooker Where: The U.C.C (Click here for directions)
When: 9.00pm on Wednesday 27th October, 2010