On Stage: Nicki Parrott salutes Peggy Lee in Vail

This Sunday, August 19, at 4 p.m., KUVO’s performance series “On Stage” takes you into the world of singer-actress Peggy Lee through the music of bassist-vocalist Nicki Parrott as part of the Vail Jazz Festival.

The Australian-born Parrott began with piano, then flute, but she told one interviewer, “I like the voice of the bass.”  Studying with visiting artists Ray Brown and John Clayton led to a scholarship to New York in 1994.  Her residency at the Iridium with Les Paul led to a who’s who of accompaniments, and on Broadway.  Now, with 23 records to her credit (mostly on the Japanese Venus Records label), Parrott is touring with her multi-media tribute to Peggy Lee.

Parrott’s voice channels the renaissance woman Lee, and her bass-playing impresses, as you will hear on the next presentation of KUVO’s performance archive show “On Stage.” It’s Nicki Parrott, this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. only on KUVO Jazz.