BIOGRAPHY
Widely recognised as one of the classiest Jazz and Swing singers and/or double bassists in the UK, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nicola Farnon has a remarkable musical pedigree, both parents being professional classical musicians and her great uncle no less than the late Robert Farnon. Originally raised classically on the cello and the piano, Nicola started singing and playing double bass in her twenties which led to a jazz career spanning 25 years (so far!).
She has played and recorded with such Jazz luminaries as Dave Newton, Digby Fairweather, Jim Mullen, Bruce Adams and Alan Barnes and alongside class jazz acts as diverse as Eliane Elias, Courtney Pine, Georgie Fame,Tony Kofi, Michael Garrick Jazz Britannia Orchestra, Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilke. On stage Nicola is a class act with a passionate and swinging style, outstanding personality and a charismatic stage presence to match - with an uncanny ability to adapt her performance to captivate and embrace any audience
Her Discography includes nine albums to date with her latest two - Made Up and Finding My Way Back (featuring all original tracks) - introducing a different side to Farnon from the more familiar jazz standards and originals in her previous catalogue. These two albums serve to also show off her versatile musicianship, within their mixture of soulful seventies sounding musical influences. In recent years, Nicola has further branched out into playing gigs that feature her singing a variety of genres whilst accompanying herself on her first instrument, the cello.
Nicola's most recently recorded jazz recording is the highly acclaimed album, "So Farnon - So Good!" - with Jim Mullen, David Newton and Steve Brown
Farnon has developed a number of collaborations with a variety of singers and musicians, with an eclectic mix of differing styles which include classical, soul, country, folk, americana - and more! - cos when it comes to music, well, anything goes!!
Big Band Buddies Magazine
..We were like putty in her hands. She has the unique talent to make it appear that each song that she sings is just for you, and that it is the very first time that she has ever sung it. She is the ultimate professional, with a charismatic personality that is rare in all but the top artists
Manchester jazz festival
Nicola's trio make optimum use of their combined instrumental skills with integrity and joy
Lincoln Echo
I have little hesitation is saying that in my opinion Nicola is the most accomplished, talented, all round Jazz/Swing vocalist and Double Bass Player in the UK at the moment, and I urge you to support her
Scarborough Jazz Festival
The Nicola Farnon Trio combine first class musicianship with a genuine enthusiasm for being on stage at a prestigious jazz festival. Time and again Farnon’s bass playing swung, her winning vocals a delight
Wakefield Jazz
A wonderful, and indeed extended, showing of the variety that three musicians can bring to a well-worn form. (The trio) captivated and held the audience with an entertaining evening of jazz—creatively demanding and superbly played.