Melbourne-based Jazz icon, Nina Ferro, is one of Australia’s finest performers. With a quality of tone and relaxed technique that is rarely heard, and with a unique and impressive understanding of jazz repertoire, she is renowned as one of the finest jazz vocalists working today.
Nina Ferro has appeared with legendary performers including Tony Bennett and Les Paul. She is featured on several Riverwalk Jazz broadcasts performing the music of Richard Rogers, Cole Porter, Fields and McHugh, Irving Berlin and others. She can be heard on The Jim Cullum Jazz Band CDs, Deep River and American Love Songs too.
A singer who starts her career in pop and sings her first jazz at the trad end of the spectrum might expect to have to struggle for appreciation from her contemporary jazz peers. Melbourne singer Nina Ferro started singing professionally fifteen years ago, but in an interview this week, While launching her latest CD, Ferro admits she’s reached a point on her own path where other peoples’ opinions simply don’t matter.
This soulful vocalist has every quality of tone, emotional honesty and technique to perform at its best. Nina Ferro’s energetic style and musical grace guarantees an evening of music from slick Jazz standards to sultry soul and well-known contemporary songs. Fuelled by a vibrant backing band, Nina Ferro delights worldwide audiences with her unforgettably rich voice and engaging style.
Nina Ferro’s wealth of experience has seen her perform throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia and has appeared with some of the great artists including Tony Bennett, Hugh Jackman, Ricky Martin, James Morrison, Renee Geyer, Kate Ceberano. Performed alongside masters including Gil Askey, Les Paul, Dave Sanborn, Curtis Stigers, Chris Botti, Chick Corea, Monty Alexander, Eddie Floyd, Gary U.S. Bonds, Billie Ocean, Steve Tyrell, as well as appearances with The Australian Pops Orchestra, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Commitments, and The Cat Empire. Nina’s guest appearances with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in Texas has resulted in over 30 performances being aired on Public Radio International all across the USA. Nina is also featured on albums with the Jim Cullum Jazz band featuring collaborations with Dick Hyman and guests Benny Carter, Carol Woods, Topsy Chapman and Joe Williams. Her own albums have received rave reviews worldwide.
“Ferro’s voice is a pleasure to hear… She sounds natural, sexy and effortless.” – Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine, New York.
“Nina Ferro may be an unfamiliar name to some in the US but that won’t last long. Nina’s voice is smooth, consistent and rich. Her energy and feeling for the music is fresh and infectious. The US will want to hear more of this stellar vocalist.” – Paul Pearce, Bass World Magazine, USA.
“What an amazing voice, a stand out performance.” – Hugh Jackman. Nina’s unique interpretation of jazz and soul repertoire never fails to impress both in intimate settings and on the concert stage. Whether appearing live or on television, from Jazz Clubs to large international festivals all over the world, she embodies the epitome of style.
“Nina Ferro is considered the Dom Perignon of Jazz.. Bubbly, cool and very, very good!” – Marty Fields.
Nina now resides in the U.K.
AWARDS: 4th Place for “Tossing & Turning” (Rock/Metal/Indie Category) Australian Song Writing Association Competition 2006. Yalumba Jazz medal for most up and coming Jazz Artist. Congratulations to the “CAT EMPIRE” on winning an Aria Award for their album “Cities”
Crazy Way Of Lovin:
Nina Ferro’s new album, ‘Crazy Way of Lovin’, takes the listener on a carefully crafted emotional journey. It boasts a constancy of style in both volume and mood, making it both an ideal backdrop for social settings and an excellent focal point for the attentive listener. Nina Ferro’s desire to individualize these works, both musically and harmonically, has been realized. In 1994, her peers voted Nina Ferro as the recipient of the Montsalvat Yalumba Jazz Medal for the most up and coming jazz talent under 25 years of age. Since then, Nina has continued to unite her position as a versatile and accomplished jazz vocalist. She has performed around the world and at major jazz festivals. Based in Melbourne, Nina Ferro has been described by no less a person than Tony Bennett as being “a fabulous performer with a knockout voice”.