Nicole (Nikki) Paris

Being true to herself with the sweet sounds of soul...

Nicole (Nikki) Parris promotional photos. More Photos...

BIOGRAPHY: A natural performer for as long as she can remember, Nicole is no stranger to the stage. She has been singing in Vancouver since 1990 and has a versatile vocal range as she began her music career singing reggae and opening for artists, such as renowned performer Lucky Dube during the Vancouver leg of his Canadian tour, Shuggy Milligan and Alpha YaYa Diallo.

Calabash records released her first single in 1992 on the West Coast compilation "Rennaisance Vol. I" and in 1993 she toured throughout the lower mainland with Dido Morris and his West African ensemble Bambaya, as well as accompanying Ihiala at the 1993 Jazz Festival. Her second CD, combined with the Dangerous Nations was a labour of love.

In 2002 she performed weekly at Vancouver's Club Voda and contributed her vocals to "into the groove” by Solcola where she wrote, and performed 3 of the 7 songs. The CD release party for Solcola was held at Barnone Nightclub and lounge in January 2002 where Nicole performed live to a full house. "[Nicole's] powerful voice adds a nice final touch to the sound [of Solcola], and unlike other bands, she is not lost in the music" - SFU Peak

Since 1998, Nicole has been fine tuning her voice with the VOC Soul Gospel Choir under the direction of former Commodore, Checo Tohomceso, including live performances and television appearances on VTV, 100 Huntley Street and Now TV. In 2002, Nicole joined another gospel choir and can be seen around town in both choirs.

Since performing at our Sweet 16 Indie Women In Music Event in 2002, Nicole began working with an aboriginal family group.  She writes, "that night at the curling club opened a new door for me. I performed all over Vancouver in February for 'black history month' and it was great.... I finally got some recognition in my kid's elementary school, and they gave me a letter of recomendation, for contributing my time sharing and singing acapella for the kids. I basically put together a presentation where I speak about historical events, and I have a theme like "freedom" and then I demonstrate how the slaves sang the songs on plantations and used humming and codes as ways of survival the overall theme is powerful and kids use it for there own interpretations as a tool of empowerment, I taught the students 'this little light of mine' and the loved it. I would like God to use my voice for making changes. I am concerned about issues that concern the human condition. I live downtown and I see kids lying on the street, homelessness, needles in the school ground, and me personally have my own struggles being a single parent. I would like to do more benefits, it is in alignment with my spirit."

For more information about upcoming events and future performances with the many projects she is working on, email nicole@gallerylounge.com.

Beautiful House Events:

Sweet 16 - June 2002

Upcoming & Recent Gigs:

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An Update From Nicole:

MAY 2005: I am still singing with Checo and VOC and we just recorded a radio commercial PSA to encourage people to get out and vote. It was aired on Team 1040. CFUN 1410 and QMFM 103.5, it is scheduled to run later this year for the federal elections as well. I also got a small part in a movie called "Grey Matters" starring Sissy Spacek and Heather Graham. Other than that I am good. I am no longer singing with Solcola, the band moved to Halifax and is doing other things. Our VOC show for the summer is July 16, 2005 if you are interested in coming out, it will be at Shaunessy Heights Church, on 33rd and Granville.

Releases:

Shayde - Just The Thing (Single)
Recorded March 2002
Check out the May Issue of Vancouver magazine and stay tuned to The Beat 94.5 FM

Be True To Yourself
Forthcoming debut solo release

Solcola - Into The Groove
Released Dec 2001; Recorded by Allan Rodgers at Greenhouse Studios in Burnaby, BC.

01 Into the Groove
02 Don't Make Me Wait (N. Parris, G. Howe, J. MacArthur, D. Fenwick)
03 Staccato Sync
04 Goin' Down Slow (D. Fenwick, N. Parris)
05 Wherever You Are
06 Gator (J. Platt)
07 Breathe
08 Things You Bury
09 Before Seven
10 Not Gonna Let It Get to Me (N. Parris, J. MacArthur)
11 Stray Toaster
12 Nightime
13 Baby Spice (D. Fenwick)
14 Strange Echo

About Solcola:

Solcola is a groove oriented Vancouver-based group bringing their own brand of funky soul fusion to the masses.

Solcola is:

Jeff MacArthur - fretless bass
Dave Fenwick - guitar
J.T. Platt - saxophones, flute
Glyn MacDonald - keys, trombone
Sasa Marjanovic - drums, percussion
Nicole Paris - vocals (formerly)

With original compositions ranging in styles from Soul to Reggae and Funk to Latin, and through the exceptional abilities of its members, Solcola provides its ever growing audience with musical entertainment of the highest quality. Their latest CD featuring the soulful vocals of Nicole Paris includes some kicking funk, some drum and bass, instrumental funk, sexy latin, a laid back vocal reggae shuffle, ultra-hip blues, soulful ballads, hyper phunk, slow and sultry rhumba, energy groove, and surf jazz.

The band's original pieces cover a huge gamut of groove music, but Solcola also puts its own unique spin on cover songs Erykah Badu, Jamiroquai, Me'shell NdegeOcello, Jill Scott, and others. This fusion of styles blends smoothly under the accomplished musicianship of the players and allows the group to adapt to a wide variety of playing situations.

Solcola completed their first full-length studio album in 2001 and will continue live performances at home and abroad.