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Biography
" Fitzgibbon was the consumate entertainer...a sassy, saucy woman with vocals to match. Her voice was engaging and seductive... a woman who could immediately make you feel comfortable. Her personality flowed out emanating a relaxed sense of confidence that would easily rub off on her audience...the sensuality and cheeky charm was turned on full. We were left to reflect on the value of experience in a singer and the consummate ease with which she could captivate an audience and enliven a venue. It has been an evening of fine music to end another fine festival".... Roger Mitchell (Herald/Sun) Stonnington Festival 2009.
" Talented Melbourne vocalist Nichaud Fitzgibbon, blends something old and something new into the same mix. Transmogrified and freshened up, her repertoire is painted in colours that may have seemed inconceivable but work perfectly well. Her voice floats across clever arrangements transforming a repertoire that includes Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael making it all sound fresh and new "..... Leon Gettler (The Age Green Guide) Melbourne 2006
" Deep in The Night ... an impressive set of quality songs delivered with unerring judgment and panache by Fitzgibbon "..... Adrian Jackson (The Bulletin) Melbourne April 2006
" She shows herself to have interest in both the improvisational potential of the music and the dramatic possibilites of the lyrics. Her voice is cool, while her style betrays the sweet hubris of a singer very comfortable in the dangerous knowledge that the point of no return is at the very beginning of each vocal journey. No one has sung Rodgers and Hart's "Where or When" to better effect. I have to emphatically agree with Mark Murphy - She's a natural "
...Alan Bargebuhr (Music critic, Cadence Magazine USA) September 2006
"One could not help but be drawn by the performance; not only could you hear the voice but you could see the emotion. Nichaud lived each of the songs, she was cheeky, sexy and seductive and always confidently in control of her delivery. The night was a perfect marriage of two instruments - voice and piano. It was a pleasure to watch the magic of Mark's fingers on the keyboard and delight in the playful interaction of music and voice "
...Jan Chandler ( Music Theatre Review Melbournestage.com.au )
Live at The Butterfly Cabaret Club April 2006
" Fitzgibbon's voice is maturing; now more generously rounded and more nuanced, she interacts exuberantly and responsively. Mark Murphy offered to produce her second cd - a massive compliment "... John Shand ( Jazz reviewer ABC Limelight Magazine ) March 2006
" Regarded as Australia's finest jazz stylist Nichaud Fitzgibbon has been gracing us with her distinctive smouldering ways for years, she entrances audiences with her beautiful smoky vocal quality and her natural sense of swing. She can rustle a boisterous Latin feel at whim and then melt you with her restraint. Nichaud has made a trademark with her chameleon ways."
...Xenia Hanusiak (The Herald Sun) Melbourne 2004
" She's a natural and she's gorgeous "..... Mark Murphy (World renowned American jazz vocalist) 2004
" The most warmly sensuous voice in Jazz... Fitzgibbon drew the audience in with her natural exuberance, lyrical sincerity and wonderful supple phrasing"
... Jessica Nicholas (The Age 2002)
" Nichaud is a revelation and she is very much in the class of Diana Krall and deserves to be heard world wide "... Roy Oakshott ( BBC Radio London UK ) 2001
" She is a fabulous singer with a smoky style "..... Barry Humphries (World famous Australian satirist) 2001
" She brings freshness and vitality to the standard repertoire thanks to her rich and alluring voice. She impresses as a mature stylist who knows exactly how she wants to interpret every song "
.....Adrian Jackson ( The Age ) Melbourne 2001
" She entrances audiences with a beautiful, warm and mellow vocal quality that taps every emotion "......Kevin Jones(The Australian) Melbourne 2001
“ She’s great, she just oozes sex appeal, one of the sexiest singers I have ever seen "
.... Dr. Karl S. Kruszelnicki. (Famous Australian Scientist) 2002
“ There are many young women, these days, who claim to be 'Jazz singers'. Often, however, their only justification for this name is the addition of mannerisms, which they fondly imagine to be Jazz. The truth is, however, those REAL Jazz singers do no more than sing the song so that it SWINGS...Billie and Ella being prime examples!
Easy though this sounds, relatively few singers can pull it off, for it demands innate musicality. Nichaud Fitzgibbon is one of this rare breed. In addition she possesses one of those wonderful breathy-edged voices with a rich, warm core, able to sing virtually anything and make it sound good. In this, one can make comparisons with Peggy Lee. Her wonderful lazy phrasing, on the other hand, no doubt comes from the early influence of Connee Boswell, but Nichaud is no copy of anybody. She has her own voice and is one of the leading Jazz singers of today...not only in her native Australia...but anywhere in the world! The only problem for her fans is that she is so good to look at, that sometimes, one forgets to listen.”
... Earl Okin ( British musician, comedian and music critic ) 2005.
Nichaud was born in the small country town of Wycheproof in North Western Victoria. Known for its "King of the Mountain" potato sack race, Nichaud is now its most famous export. Her mother, Faye Hommelhoff, grew up there and comes from a family with Danish and French heritage. Nichaud is a fourth generation performer and it goes without saying that as a member of the renowned jazz and showbiz Fitzgibbon family, music is in her fiesty Irish blood.
At an early age Nichaud was surrounded by music of the 20s and 30s that played nightly at the club run by her father Smacka Fitzgibbon. The beloved Australian jazz musician and entertainer who started his career playing banjo with Frank Johnstone, Len and Bob Barnard and Graeme Bell. Smacka's Place was to become Melbourne's most famous jazz club in the 1970's. Grandmother Minnie was a soubrette - a child performer in vaudeville. She was also a wonderful stride pianist who encouraged Nichaud and her three brothers to play music. Nichaud's aunt, Maggie Fitzgibbon, started her career as a soprano in the Tivoli theatre and then moved to London to star on television and in West End musicals. Nichaud's brother Mark is one of Australia's finest jazz pianists he is her collaborator and musical director.
Nichaud's musical destiny can not only be put down to a natural family inheritance but also to the fact she was lucky enough to sit on Louis Armstrong 's knee at the age of three! Smacka and his band were there to greet Pops at the airport when he first came to Australia. Nichaud's earliest memory of music was hearing her mother playing a Billie Holiday record and the song she loved most was 'What A Little Moonlight'. Her father's record collection was a big influence. She listened to the sounds of The Boswell sisters, Louis Armstrong, Al Bowly and The Chocolate Dandies and later developed her style while listening to Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
Nichaud started performing with her brother Mark in the early '80s and worked at all the regular jazz venues and festivals around town. Vince Jones gave Nichaud her first television appearance when he invited her to be his special guest on The Don Burrow's Jazz Series in 1983 for ABC television. Apart from performing around town at regular gigs she also started a full time job working at Brashs record store, which she eventually managed for a couple of years and then decided to move to London in 1986. She stayed for three years and performed at various clubs and festivals plus a stint with Australian rock band The Models when she joined Wendy Matthews as a backing singer for their London gigs. Another highlight was an impromptu performance with legendary tenor saxophonist Pharaoh Sanders at Ronnie Scott's jazz club. After returning to Melbourne in 1988 and working with various bands she formed YOYO an original funk band with trumpeter Gavin Cornish and her brother Andrew, the drummer in the family. YOYO was an explosive high energy funk and groove band in Melbourne in the '90s. Definitely ahead of their time. The YOYO Thursday night residency became an institution at The Esplanade Hotel in St. Kilda for three years. An invitation came to work with Rock Star James Reyne which gave Nichaud the opportunity to join his national tour as backing vocalist. She later worked extensively on television shows including The Big Gig series on the ABC and Tonight Live with Steve Vizard under the musical direction of Paul Grabowsky. Nichaud also appeared regularly on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton and the ABC's Pulse Jazz Series which showcased Australia's finest jazz artists live in concert at Chapel off Chapel.
Also during the '90s Nichaud became a founding member of the sixteen piece bigband The MOOVIN and GROOVIN' ORCHESTRA lead by arrangers Gavin Cornish and Ken Schroder and made several recordings. She hosted a Jazz radio show for Community Radio Station 3CR every Tuesday afternoon promoting fellow musicians and interviewing touring Jazz artists. She also worked with popular bands including R&B outfit The Swinging Sidewalks, The Gospel Soul Train, Ladysoul-60s soul revue and started the band So Nice with Jane Clifton.
So Nice celebrated the music of Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66 and songs by Burt Bacharach.
She collaborated with Jack Howard (X Hunters & Collectors) and recorded songs for their band - FRAIL. She has also recorded backing vocals for several other Rock bands including The Bad Loves and Nick Barker and for Jamaican Reggae artist Larry Maluma, Kylie Auldist's Heavy Earth and and Rhythm and Blues composers Andy Cowan, Kerri Simpson, Cyndi Boyste, Andy White's Garage Band and Ocean's Baroque.
Nichaud was given an amazing opportunity to work with The Australian Ballet Company in Stanton Welsh's production- Three Of Us when she sang Someone to Watch over me at The Victorian State Theatre. Not many singers get to work with The Ballet! She also performed Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy with James Morrison, Venetta Fields and Shelley Scown for 'The Australia Remembers Concert' which was televised nation wide live from The Palais Theatre St Kilda and was congratulated by then Prime Minister Mr Paul Keating.
Barry Humphries commissioned her to sing three Gershwin compositions - Feeling Sentimental, Sweet and Low Down and I Was Doing Alright for his collection of Rare Songs Vol 2. Released in 2000.
The Victorian Arts Centre invited Nichaud to perform as part of a special tribute - The Great Jazz Singers Concert. Performing songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald with arrangements by Graeme Lyall featuring a 10 piece ensemble playing to 12,000 jazz fans at the Myer Music Bowl. Nichaud has also performed several special jazz concerts over the years with legendary international jazz pianist Allan Zavod.
In 2001 Nichaud released her debut Jazz CD AFTER HOURS which received rave reviews showcasing her talent from swing to bossa featuring arrangements by Ken Schroder with performances by some of Melbourne's jazz elite including award winning saxophonist Jamie Oehler's Blowfish horn section.
During the last few years Nichaud has been involved in a variety of projects. She was especially commissioned by Abracadabra Films to sing Manha de Carnaval (Black Orpheus) in Portuguese, accompanied by guitarist Doug DeVries, for a documentary filmed in East Timor called Birth of a Nation - Rosa's Story. She sang Dearly Beloved for the soundtrack of the Australian film Trojan Warrior produced by Triple 3 Films. As well as performing in mini musicals directed by Toni Bartuccio for Show Stoppers at Crown Casino. She has been a regular performer for The Victorian Arts Centre's Morning Melodies series at The Melbourne Concert Hall with tributes to Peggy Lee, Doris Day and Smacka Fitzgibbon. The Peggy Lee tributes were also performed for The Melbourne International Jazz Festival and for The Melbourne International Arts Festival at The Famous Spiegeltent (the world's most prestigious cabaret venue).
June 2004 Nichaud in New York City.
Some highlights of the trip included -
- Masterclasses with Bobby McFerrin;
- Singing for Les Paul's 89th birthday The Iridium Jazz Club;
- Singing with Barney McAll;
- Cabaret spot with Liza Minelli's pianist Billy Stritch.
The audience were held captive for the recent launch of Nichaud's second CD "DEEP IN THE NIGHT" at The Famous Spiegeltent. It was a superb night of music by this charismatic performer for The Melbourne International Arts Festival 2005. Mark Murphy, the legendary American jazz vocalist produced the cd in April 2005. It is an eclectic mix of jazz standards with arrangements by Mark Fitzgibbon featuring beautiful ballads, cool grooves and gorgeous bossa nova. Deep in The Night, is distributed through Newmarket Music it is definitely a must. Music Guru, Billy Pinell voted it in his top 10 releases of 2005.
A collaboration with the talented composer and alto saxophonist Martha Baartz features Nichaud on tracks Melanie and Scrumptious for the latest Baartz Freeman Project CD -
12 SALUTATIONS - a fantastic original jazz album which is also available through Newmarket Music.
Nichaud recorded several songs with multi-instrumentalist/singer Gerry Hale for his CD "VIVANDO" which is a melting pot of Country, jazz and swing with great harmonies. It features many great Melbourne musicians and singers celebrating the fun songs of Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks.
She continues to perform Carols by the Bay every Christmas and has done since 1997 and has joined many great Australian Rock and R&B artists including Ross Wilson, Joe Camilleri and Wilbur Wilde on a song or two.
Popular mainstream jazz outfit The Society Syncopators invited Nichaud to sing If You Were Mine, a song immortalized by Billie Holiday. Peter Gaudion thought Nichaud, the perfect vocalist to be on their latest cd which was recorded in October 2006.
A special collaboration saw Nichaud perform with world renowned American classical pianist,
Dr Donna Coleman with leading guitarist Geoff Hughes and a night of songs by American Classical composer, Charles Ives. An amazing night of music!!!
Nichaud also worked with Josh G Abrahams and recorded a song for the soundtrack ONE LAST RIDE, a film by famous Tawainese director, Ang Lee released in 2006.
She has more recently performed with the fabulous gypsy swing band - BLUEDRAG under the leadership of two talented Australian composers, violinist/arranger Nigel MacLean and guitarist/singer/songwriter Martin Elepans. The gigs showcased material from their latest CD I’ll See You There and Nichaud was delighted to be an extra special guest amongst a bevy of divas.
MOOD SWING is Nichaud's latest recording project. It is a compliation of Australian compositions and features her unique sound and creative direction on songs written by some of Australia's finest Pop artists. It has met with lots of enthusiasm and has some great arrangements by Mark Fitzgibbon and Lachlain Davidson.
Due to be released November 2009. Stay tuned for more info.
Nichaud has also been busy collaborating with songwriter Martin Elepans over the last twelve months and they will be launching their new musical venture, a new original Gypsy Jazz ensemble called TROPIC OF DJANGO very soon. This promises to be something very special.
Nichaud Fitzgibbon is recognised as Australia's premier jazz stylist her natural charisma and fiesty elegance brings sophistication to performances offering a repertoire of popular jazz standards from the Great American songbook. From swing that grooves to bossa and blues. She performs regularly with her band at various Melbourne venues and festivals around the country and is in demand for corporate events and major concerts she works with a variety of line-ups from duo to bigband.
Nichaud has worked with International Artists-
Les Paul
George Coleman Jr
Vincent Herring
Pharoah Sanders
Allan Zavod
James Morrison
Paul Grabowsky
Barney McAll
Joe Chindamo
John Foreman
Doug DeVries
Boris Boyich
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