Singer/Performer Nikki Armstrong began her performing career as a dancer and actress at age 11. She was inspired by the great jazz singers, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee as well as the great Soul and R&B artists, James Brown and Tina Turner, and finally in her late 20's Nikki decided to commit to singing. She has studied music and voice in Boston , LA and New York , most notably with the great arranger Hal Schaefer (Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe). Writing and doing session work in Los Angles and Sydney , Australia for the first few years was fun, but it was live performing she craved and New York was the place to be.

For the past 10 years Nikki has performed regularly all around the New York Tri-State area with her bands, Whole Lotta Blues and The Nikki Armstrong Project . As featured guest vocalist, she has performed and or recorded with such artists as Melvin Sparks (Acid Jazz Guitarist) and the Great Les Paul (Father of the Electric Guitar). As a voice coach for over 10 years, Nikki delivers performance workshops and singer showcases in the Tri-state area.

An important voice in the New York area Blues and Jazz scene Nikki is on the board of directors of the New York Blues and Jazz Society as Musician's Liaison; coordinating, producing, and performing in successful Blues and Jazz events for venues such as Birdland in NYC, Sirius Radio as well as benefits for NOLA. In 2007 Nikki became a Deejay on the air with her own show Blues in the Grooves broadcasting every Wednesday afternoon on WFDU, 89.1FM from 1pm to 3:45pm. She also runs a weekly Blues Jam and has been doing so for the last 10 years.

Nikki has four independent CD releases and is working on another CD of all original material due to release in 2009. Her band Whole Lotta Blues is composed of Jason Green on guitar, Rob Chaseman on sax, A.J. Hager on bass, John McCann on drums and Juan Pertuz on percussion. Nikki and crew are all musically accomplished and perform everything from blues, funk, rock, soul, and pop covers, to jazz standards as well as originals. They can be seen most regularly at Lucille's at BB Kings. Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues have been the featured opening act for The Commitments, Joan Osborne, Dave Mason, Hubert Sumlin, Parliament Funkadelic, to name a few.

“ The blues as Nikki sings them come mixed with jazz, pop, and folk rock, with a warm, rich contralto voice that she colors over a wide spectrum from intimate growls and passionate whispers to long haunting ballad lines, and a sparkling sense of fun!'' -- - Michael Lydon (Founding Editor Rolling Stone Magazine and Author, Ray Charles: Man and Music )

 

“Powerful/from the bottom of soul-filled song well with a serpents unpredictability, Nikki can sink her teeth into the skin of any style of song and make you want to get bit again.” - Mister G, DJ 91.7FM WHUS Storrs , CT

 

"When I saw The Commitments earlier this year at BB King's, the opening act was a band called Nikki Armstrong & Whole Lotta Blues, a dynamite little redhead with a great, big voice and a ton of stage presence (and great hair and great legs to boot) and her band is the poo - extremely tight, great groove." - From a fan

“She's got that smoky, sexy sound I love. Nikki's got it all!

-Hal Schaefer (pianist/arranger for Peggy Lee & Marilyn Monroe)

 

 

“Nikki had done a couple events for us and we knew we wanted that ‘cut above' the typical private party band for our son's event. Wow, did we ever get the most top notch entertainment. My son even got to sit in with Nikki and her awesome band, what a special treat. Our friends and family will still be talking about it for years to come! – A client

 

“Nikki's performance was superb! The band is excellent!"

-Melvin Sparks- Legendary ‘Acid Jazz' Guitarist

“It's like sitting next to a Nuclear Reactor!” – Fan at a recent gig

“Nikki Armstrong is a musical journey you have to experience. Her lineup of musicians is second to none and you never know who will show up to jam!”

- Bob Suede (Producer, Performer, Writer w/ Richie Havens)

 

“Her voice ages like fine wine.” - Elliott Randall (Guitarist ‘Steely Dan')

 

“Nikki's transcendent performance communicates her passion directly to the listener.” - -Larry Baeder (Guitarist w. Chuck Jackson, Carly Simon & Bo Diddley )

 

“She reminds me of Anita O'Day” - Les Paul (Father of the Electric Guitar)

“Armstrong's wonderfully expressive vocals and her contagious enthusiasm are well suited to (the) intimate atmosphere. Nikki belted out "I'm a Woman," groaned and growled through "I Just Want to Make Love to You," turned sultrily playful on "It Ain't the Meat (It's the Motion)," pure bluesy on "Lover Man," buoyant on "Fly Me to the Moon," and absolutely soulful on "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."

- Thomas Kitts (Author of Ray Davies: Not Like Everybody Else )

 

“Nikki is a great performer, without a doubt an excellent singer with an excellent voice and strong musicality to match!" - Michael Hill (Singer/Songwriter )

 

“You know it's authentic when a girl from the San Fran bay area can make a true believer of a true Southerner. Nikki Armstrong does. Nikki Armstrong is true blue, baby. Sit n' listen for a spell and believe for yourself.” - David Esposito ( New York– In Tune Magazine)

 

“…Nikki delivers with incredible passion and a voice that would melt gold!”

- Peter Berman (CNN, ABC Photo Journalist)

 

“…and Nikki Armstrong was fantastic. No lie….during Nikki's performance, a man near me who was in a wheelchair, got up and danced!” - A fan at a festival

“What a performer. You've got it all: class, power, dynamics, showmanship, and the most amazing voice” - Terry Silverlight (Award winning Songwriter & Drummer)

 

“ I can't thank you enough for your wonderful performance. Our phones were on fire during your live music set. YOU were in total control of your band of great musicians, who backed you up to the hilt under your very professional leadership. Listening to you really knocks me out! “ - Bill Nolan (Host of WPKN FM'S Antique Blues , the longest running rhythm and blues program in the U.S. )