Nicole Lvoff - Here's That Rainy Day (2010)

A native of Santa Barbara, California, Nicole grew up in a classically trained household of musicians. Her father was a violinist who graduated from Juliard and her mother is a classical pianist who graduated from the University of Texas and Berkeley School of Music.

A singer with some background in piano and flute, Nicole is drawn to a wide variety of jazz music spanning from the 1920s to the ‘60s. “I like finding old songs that people rarely perform like ‘Put the Blame on Mame’ from Gilda, and ‘Don’t Explain’ composed by Billie Holiday. I also love Cole Porter and, of course, the beautiful melodies of Jobim.”

Her first album is musically exciting and melodically haunting. Arranged by Woody DeMarco, also the pianist on the album, “Here’s That Rainy Day” is full of hidden gems and beloved treasures. The album opens with an exciting arrangement of
“Too Marvelous For Words.” Nicole’s vocals are effortlessly fun and the band joins in with the same excitement. Jon Crosse, Paul Anka’s musical director, plays the saxophone as well as flute, clarinet and trumphet on the album. “Here’s that Rainy Day” is an enchanting interplay of flute and vocals over a bossa nova beat. Check out the ever so sassy “Fever” with a funky groove and ever so sultry vocals. “Whatever Lola Wants” and “Caravan” involve the entire ensemble, introducing Lorenzo Martinez on bongos and shakers. To be sure, these high energy songs are some of the highlights on the album. The album ends with the haunting “Don’t Explain,” where there are only vocals and piano. It is reflective and heartbreaking, ending the album with beautifully expressed emotion. “Here’s That Rainy Day” is Nicole’s first album, and definitely an eye opener to a singer with a voice that is full of honest sweetness and warmth.

Welcome to Nicole Lvoff’s first album, “Here’s That Rainy Day.” We hope you enjoy it as much as we’ve had making it. And we look forward to hearing more from this vocal chanteuse. We have a feeling there is more to come…rain or shine!