Nicola Farnon is recognised as one of the classiest jazz and swing singers and/or double bassists in the UK.
She 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.
Nicola 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, 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.
BAND
Richard Wetherall - piano
Richard has worked with some of the finest jazz musicians including Alan Skidmore, Bobby Wellins and Mike Walker as well as running his own trio and working his solo material. He has featured twice live on Radio 3' s ‘Jazz Lineup’ and has toured worldwide with Dominic Halpin and The Honeybees. His various accolades include supporting Tony Bennett with his own quartet; composer and arranger for 'The Three Musketeers' (Robert Lyndsey) and 'Going The Distance (Steven Fry, Matthew Kelly and Sarah Hadland); teaaching at LIPS and Manchester University; coaching at Chethams Piano Summer school and accompanying various choirs in the Manchester area.
Phil Johnson - drums
Phil began honed his drumming skills in The Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra. He has since backed many jazz artists including David Newton, Jim Mullen,Bobby Shew, Alan Barnes, John Etheridge and Barbara Thompson.
Phil is also a much in demand big band player with an impressive gig backcatalogue that includes The Squadronnaires, The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra UK and The Kings of Swing Orchestra.
