Playing Bass and Singing in Jazz

Bassist and vocalist Nicki Parrott discusses how you can approach singing and playing bass in Jazz.
Learn more by visiting the Jazz Academy at academy.jazz.org
Nicki Parrott - Bass
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Aaron Chandler - Sound Engineer
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded November 4, 2014

[@james.randorff]

Video summary To be an outstanding bassist/vocalist, there are four easy steps: 1. Become an outstanding bassist. 2. Become an outstanding vocalist. 3. Practice your outstanding bassline and vocal part independently. 4. Practice them together. As soon as I am as good as her, I will have it made. 😃

[@zenoniachale11]

esperanza spalding class

[@ianmorton4136]

I know nothing about bass playing, and little about jazz singing, but I could spend the rest of my life listening to this beautiful woman

[@texasredneckhippy]

She would be so nice to come home to. What a talented performer.

[@offspringer28]

Nicki Parrott Great Bassist and Vocalist! Applaud

[@izziOnBass]

If something called perfection exists in this universe it is with Nicki Parrott singing and playing the bass

[@MrJazzohjazz]

Wonderful voice. Wonderful bassist. Gorgeous.

[@BecauseHeLives39]

That Upright Bass sounds so good!!!

[@guitarraflamenca8810]

Vous êtes belle et talentueuse Madame et quelle voix de velours ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gianfrancofranzese1102]

You're simply very good and wonderfull. Thank you!

[@markkubiak8296]

Voice and double bass sound so good together. Especially yours!!

[@ewoien]

Very good, and she clearly knows how to use her formidable skills to make this a very inspiring class. I find I struggle with songs that require me to play a different rhythm pattern on the bass than I am supposed to sing. I always end up playing what I sing or sing what I play. Good job showing us less gifted musicians that it’s possible to do both well.

[@TheWFamilyMusic]

etcetera...how impressive is this video?? you are one great musician

[@TiagoLageira]

Swings so much I can't take it

[@hitrozhop]

i'm in love!

[@TheObserver567]

Such beauty. Fun music too. Great tips. Many young musicians are not taught the need to feel the music

[@FloGiova]

Wow this is so good! I want more! 😃

[@jackwilloughby239]

May I suggest a Video Album? An Evening Alone with Nicki Parrott? Just you and your bass, singing some of the "Good Ole Old Ones" Like Pops used to say?

[@daikimoto6725]

So nice! The best example!

[@dongaetano3687]

Not a musician but enjoy the background information. Have a good friend who is retired BSO cellist now also conducting. Learn a lot from him and all very interesting. Must admit, Jazz my favorite with Latin or Spanish mix as one of the categories besides the Great American Songbook. My finger muscle twitch to slow to play most instruments but get tempted to try trombone in my advance years.....(fat chance but who knows....) Thanks Nicki - I think You're Terrific!

[@hany-tawfik]

Beautiful

[@jetmould]

Thank you...wonderful voice and playing my friend

[@merrasoa8327]

Tres bien merci ,bonne bassiste

[@ABlofurcehdard]

*ET CETERA*

[@Mrfailstandstil]

I love when accomplished artists, who's been practicing for like 25 years say it, after they've showed us some piece, literally impossible to repeat by us, mortals.

[@exogarwinoputt4257]

Wonderful Nicki. Thank You !

[@mateuszbok4466]

This is so lovely and classy, made my day :)

[@1234SESILU]

Nicki you re so great !!!

[@marcomir27]

I wish I could front a band while playing bass. Amazing talent !

[@micaelaorianaariza5384]

Ohhhh I love her ❣️

[@QbaGregor]

🥰

[@yoonseoram]

Wow really awesome👍 thank you for sharing your talent 💕

[@pierreandrewt1347]

exactly what I needed!

[@sonnytang7723]

Excellent performance 😍😍😍

[@docmoto6477]

😍 OMG,perfection

[@ntandombatha5837]

That was beautiful.

[@sjuuf]

THANK you this is very clear and useful!

[@ethanhoule8062]

Very helpful!

[@hoanghuynh4034]

So cool

[@MrSplephm]

Wow! Perfect.

[@BigParadox]

This is such a nice video, thanks!

[@MusicTeacherGuyNorristown]

G'day, Sheila!

[@juwonnnnn]

👍

[@fredrighetti6083]

VERY GOOD, CIAO DA FRED RIGHETTI MILANO, ITALY SALUTI, BYE.

[@joangimenez8046]

Beautiful, sexi and a musician and a wonderful singer. She has fallen in love.

[@jeongnna]

3:40

[@redjetsen1002]

what is that Bass insured for? about 10,000 bucks?

[@pamelachiara1489]

In italy many people need just to understand how to play the bass in this set...imagine asking them to memorize lyrics.

[@Multichampion1000]

Is you is or is you ain't my babay........ *et cetera*

[@kevinbwillson4161]

I’m in Love I’m in Love

[@PiotrBarcz]

The moral of the story, that seems to be the case with almost everything, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT...

[@tangmatt407]

Beautiful