Singer/Performer Nikki Armstrong began her performing career as a dancer and actress at age 11. She was 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, and finally in her late 20's Nikki decided to commit to singing. 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 was the place to be.

For the past 10 years Nikki has performed regularly all around the New York Tri-State area with her bands, Whole Lotta Blues and The Nikki Armstrong Project . As featured guest vocalist, she has performed and or recorded with such artists as Melvin Sparks (Acid Jazz Guitarist) and the Great Les Paul (Father of the Electric Guitar). As a voice coach for over 10 years, Nikki delivers performance workshops and singer showcases in the Tri-state area.

An important voice in the New York area Blues and Jazz scene Nikki is on the board of directors of the New York Blues and Jazz Society as Musician's Liaison; coordinating, producing, and performing in successful Blues and Jazz events for venues such as Birdland in NYC, Sirius Radio as well as benefits for NOLA. In 2007 Nikki became a Deejay on the air with her own show Blues in the Grooves broadcasting every Wednesday afternoon on WFDU, 89.1FM from 1pm to 3:45pm. She also runs a weekly Blues Jam and has been doing so for the last 10 years.

Nikki has four independent CD releases and is working on another CD of all original material due to release in 2009. Her band Whole Lotta Blues is composed of Jason Green on guitar, Rob Chaseman on sax, A.J. Hager on bass, John McCann on drums and Juan Pertuz on percussion. Nikki and crew are all musically accomplished and perform everything from blues, funk, rock, soul, and pop covers, to jazz standards as well as originals. They can be seen most regularly at Lucille's at BB Kings. Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues have been the featured opening act for The Commitments, Joan Osborne, Dave Mason, Hubert Sumlin, Parliament Funkadelic, to name a few.

“ The blues as Nikki sings them come mixed with jazz, pop, and folk rock, with a warm, rich contralto voice that she colors over a wide spectrum from intimate growls and passionate whispers to long haunting ballad lines, and a sparkling sense of fun!'' -- - Michael Lydon (Founding Editor Rolling Stone Magazine and Author, Ray Charles: Man and Music )

 

“Powerful/from the bottom of soul-filled 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 earlier this year at BB King's, the opening act was a band called Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues, 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 (pianist/arranger for Peggy Lee & Marilyn Monroe)

 

 

“Nikki had done a couple events for us and we knew we wanted that ‘cut above' the typical private party band for our son's event. Wow, did we ever get the most top notch entertainment. My son even got to sit in with Nikki and her awesome band, what a special treat. Our friends and family will still be talking about it for years to come! – A client

 

“Nikki's performance was superb! The band is excellent!"

-Melvin Sparks- Legendary ‘Acid Jazz' Guitarist

“It's like sitting next to a Nuclear Reactor!” – Fan at a recent gig

“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 of 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. 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)

 

“…and Nikki Armstrong was fantastic. No lie….during Nikki's performance, a man near me who was in a wheelchair, got up and danced!” - A fan at a festival

“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. )

 

The Nikki Armstrong Trio at the River Bank Cornwall on Hudson, NY

December 8, 2006
Thomas M. Kitts

The River Bank Restaurant & Bar is better known for its fine dining than for its music. But this past fall the management designated every second Friday of the month as Jazz Night. So on Friday, December 8, after entrees of roasted duck, sesame encrusted tuna, and filet mignon in bourbon sauce were happily consumed, and after tables were cleared, Dan Gormley on a Gibson hollow body and Lee Marvin on upright bass warmed the audience with a couple of instrumentals. Before long, featured performer Nikki Armstrong took the stage and opened the first of two dynamic sets with a sparkling rendition of Billy Holiday's "All of Me." Over two hours later Armstrong closed the evening with a spirited take of "Bye Bye Blackbird," exiting the stage to rousing applause from the crowded main room.

Armstrong, who generally performs and records with a larger band, hit stride immediately with Gormley and Marvin. Comfortable from the outset, the trio took the audience on a journey through the American songbook with visits to a wide range of composers and performers, including Fats Waller, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, Willie Dixon, Elvis Presley, and Queen Latifah. Always energetic and adventurous, Armstrong riffed with Gormley and Marvin and gave her accompanists space for solos. Gormley played an especially steamy slide on "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and Marvin rumbled through "Take the A Train." The trio seemed to delight and surprise each other as much as they did the crowd.

Armstrong's wonderfully expressive vocals and her contagious enthusiasm were well suited to the intimate atmosphere of the River Bank. 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." Each set even featured a Christmas song: "Santa Baby" and "Blue Christmas." It seems as if highlight followed highlight in both sets.

Through years of performances, Armstrong has developed the confidence, craft, and versatility to play to the room she's in and the audience before her without compromising the integrity of the music or the musicians she leads. She can always be counted on for a solid evening of artful entertainment. Seeing her in one of her all too rare performances with the Nikki Armstrong Trio in the friendly environs of the River Bank Restaurant, with its truly outstanding cuisine, was a delightful holiday treat. .

 

Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues

Mexicali Blues Cafe, Teaneck , New Jersey

“Blues Explosion 2” December 17, 2004
by Michael Lydon


    In the hot bright stage lights, a tight-as-a-tick blues band laid down a rolling groove. Tenor sax player Rob Chaseman finished a burning chorus and pulled his mike up to chin level. "Okay, everybody, let's give a warm Mexicali welcome to a lady with a lot of class, you all know her, Nikki Armstrong! "
  Out into the lights stepped a slender, good looking woman, bright eyes and a quick smile, long red hair flowing over her shoulders, a leopard skin jacket, long black gloves up to the elbow, and below a black miniskirt, long shapely legs and black high heels. As the applause settled down, Nikki fell into the band's dancing groove and took her mike from the stand.
    "I don't want to you to be no slave, I don't want you to work all day," Nikki sang, her eyes taking in everybody in the house. Guitarist Mike Torres slipped in a bluesy bottleneck cry. 'I just wanna make love to you." As the choruses rolled on, Nikki cast off her jacket, peeled off her gloves, and let fall a cobweb shawl of bangle-beads until she was dancing and singing in a sexy little black dress. "I don't want you to be sad and blue, I just wanna make love to you!"
      The Mexicali crowd cheered as Nikki and the band brought the old Muddy Waters tune to a close. They know the blues at the Mexicali , a classy rock-pop club in central Teaneck with top acts at downhome prices, and they know that with Nikki Armstrong and the Whole Lotta Blues band--guitarist Terry Lee, bassist Keith Lambeth, and drummer Kenny Soule plus Chaseman and Torres--they had the real blues in the house. Before the applause fell to silence, the band rocked out and Nikki took charge again: "I'm a woman, I spell it W-O-M-A-N."
  Nikki Armstrong, who has been singing in and around New York for a decade and more, is a hardworking artist always digging deeper into her craft. Nikki loves music and she studies music, teaches music too. She knows how to put a good band together, and because she's fun to work with, she gets the best cats in the business. She loves to perform for the people and gives her all in every show. "Nikki is the most generous gal I've met on the blues scene," said one regular at the Mexicali bar. "You feel the love coming from her on stage, and off-stage she's always encouraging young singers, introducing a guitarist new in town to everybody. Nikki's always thinking of the other guy."
  From "W-O-M-A-N" Nikki counted off a taut four-four, and the band jumped into "Hipshake"--"You don't move your lip, you just move your hip"--and on to a soulfully sincere "Respect Your Self." The blues as Nikki sings them come mixed with jazz, pop, and folk rock--"Love the One You're With" was one of her best numbers that night at the Mexicali--and they come with dancing, Nikki, a big grin on her face, tossing her mane of hair and moving and grooving with the guys in the band as they take their solos.
      Nikki has a warm, rich contralto voice that she colors over a wide spectrum from intimate growls and passionate whispers to long haunting, ballad lines. A sparkling sense of fun comes through Nikki's voice too: in the middle of a lyric, without losing a note, she can tell the audience to get off their butts and start dancing or say hello to a pal at the bar. She's also a singer who listens to her band, and half the fun of watching Nikki perform is seeing and hearing her react to Torres' and Chaseman's inventive solos, drummer Soule's ferocious backbeat, Lambeth's rotund but agile bass, and Lee's driving rhythm guitar.

As the show rolled on, a few up-tempo tunes, more steady grooves, Nikki and Whole Lotta Blues held the crowd in the palm of their hands, and we were glad to be there. Outside was cold dark December, inside the Mexicali were warmth, lights, and a first class blues singer with her band laying the music on us like hot buttered rum. Nikki's smile, her shouts of pain and joy, and her blues songs old and new had drawn us all in to a circle of good times and affection none of us wanted to leave. "Every day, every day," Nikki sang, " Every day I have the blues." Sing it, sister, ain't it the truth!

Michael Lydon is an accomplished singer/songwriter and author of the book

Ray Charles: Man and Music, and a founding editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

 

Michael Lydon
311 East 9th Street
New York , New York 10003

ph / fx 212 260-5397 mandelandlydon@earthlink.net

Nikki Armstrong Strong-arms the Blues
New York , New York
By David Esposito for In Tune Magazine

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 s-synonyms you can think of, this can be a very discouraging thing. But fear not, gentle readers! Northeast In-Tune 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. The well-laid harmonica infusion, the slow twang of a sad country guitar, all overlaying the steady and driving and building drum crescendo, these elements combine behind Armstrong's voice to leave the listener with a silky feeling on the brain and a smile on their lips. Any one who can sing convincingly that rollin' and tumblin' will lead you to bad luck and whiskey is authentic blues. Any one who can ask you to be their “te na ne na nu” and make you believe that you could be, if only for a night, is authentic blues. Nikki Armstrong is of this type. Her track, Rollin' and Tumblin', is some down-home grits n gravy blues that makes a southern girl hanker for days gone by. You know you're authentic when a girl from the San Fran bay area can make a true believer of a true Southerner. Nikki Armstrong does. Nikki Armstrong is true blue, baby. Sit n listen for a spell and believe for yourself.

Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues
"Turnin & Burnin"

CD review by Roger-Z (01/29/06))
Appeared in More Sugar! , March 2006, P. 16B

The "It" girl. They first used that phrase in the "Roaring 20's." It still applies. When Nikki Armstrong walks down the street, heads turn. When she ascends the stage, her timeless presence titillates, captivates, and just generally mesmerizes. This woman will funk you, blues you, and above all, rock your world. When she coos "I Just Want To Make Love to You" -- lie down. When she begs for "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" -- for God's sake, just give in! Ladies, when she warns you about the "Clean Up Woman" -- take her advice. She knows.

Never underestimate this lady. She leaves nothing to chance. Acting on a last minute request by Ms. Armstrong, house sound engineer John Mc Avoy recorded "Turnin & Burnin" direct from the sound board at The Turning Point Cafe in Piermont , NY on April 23, 2005. This marks the clubs first known, official, live, two-track CD release in its twenty-five year history.

Ms. Armstrong employs the creme de la creme of NY and NJ musicians: Gil Parris (guitar), Stew Cutler (guitar, slide), Keith Lambeth (bass), Kenny Soule (drums), and Rob Chaseman (tenor sax). On every tune, she showcases one, if not two, of the soloists. Gil Parris practically steals the show with his bubbling, country-on-acid solo on "I Just Wanna Make Love to You." He mystifies with progressive jazz chops on the sultry "Summertime," and astounds with animal sounds on "Clean Up Woman."

But everybody contributes to this stellar show. Stew Cutler plays the role of unsung hero with taught rhythm guitar. He steps into the spotlight with powerful blues playing on "For You My Love." Tenor saxophonist Rob Chasement stamps his presence all over the record. "Rob's Sax Solo" starts on a low flame, builds in intensity only to end in the smouldering fumes that introduce "Summertime." The rhythm section cuts like a brand new knife. Whether playing blues, jazz, funk, or rock, Mr. Lambeth and Mr. Soule lock in and lay it down. Armed with rhythm guitar, they provide the perfect launch pad for vocals and solos.

But in the end, the "Mistress of Ceremony" takes the crowd into her expressive little hands and provides the good time they so richly deserve. "Respect Yourself." Want a musicial night that lifts you up, tears you down, and then reassembles you better than ever? Catch Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues "Turnin & Burnin" on any given evening!

©2006 Roger-Z