Nicole Rachel"Nikki"Yanofsky(born February 8, 1994) is a Canadian jazz-pop singer from Montreal, Quebec. She sang the CTV Olympic broadcast theme song, "I Believe",which was also the theme song of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. She also performed at the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics and at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. She has released four studio albums to date, includingNikkiin 2010,Little Secretin 2014,Turn Down the Soundin 2020, andNikki By Starlightin 2022.
Nikki Yanofsky | |
|---|---|
 Yanofsky performs in Vienna in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nicole Rachel Yanofsky |
| Born | February 8, 1994 Montreal,Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz,pop, Soul |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | A440 Entertainment,Universal Music Canada |
| Website | nikkiyanofsky |
Early life
editYanofsky was born and raised in a "close-knitJewishfamily "[1]inMontreal,Quebec,Canada.[2]Her parents are Elyssa (née Rosenthal) and Richard Yanofsky.[1][3]She has two older brothers, Michael and Andrew.[4]
Yanofsky graduated fromSt. George's School of Montreal.[2]
Recordings
editYanofsky recorded theElla Fitzgeraldsong "Air Mail Special" forVerve Recordsand it was released in June 2007 on the albumWe All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song.Produced byTommy LiPuma,this track made Yanofsky the youngest singer to record for Verve.[5]She then recorded "Gotta Go My Own Way"in English and French for the movieHigh School Musical 2.
She collaborated withHerbie Hancockandwill.i.amon a crossover version of the swing era hit "Stompin' at the Savoy".It was released onKareem Abdul-Jabbar's audio book,On the Shoulders of Giants.[6]
In September 2008, Yanofsky released her first full-length album, a live CD/DVD concert package entitledElla...Of Thee I Swing.She earned twoJuno Awardnominations in 2009: New Artist of the Year and Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. She also won Favourite Jazz Artist at the 2009 Canadian Independent Music Awards.[7]
SongwritersStephan MoccioandAlan Frewchose Yanofsky to singCTV'sbroadcast theme for the2010 Winter Olympics,"I Believe",which reached number one on theCanadian Hot 100on the week of February 27, 2010. This made her the first Canadian artist to have a number one song on that chart. The song was certified "QuadruplePlatinum"for digital downloads in April 2010.[8]
In 2010, Yanofsky recorded her first studio album,Nikki,withPhil Ramone.[5]Along with the album-release of "I Believe", it included some of Yanofsky's first original works, collaborating withJesse Harris,Ron SexsmithandFeist.Nikkiwas released in April 2010 byDecca Recordsand was supported by an international tour. It earned a Juno nomination for "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year" and won Yanofsky the WAVE Smooth Jazz Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year".
For Ganz's October 2010WebkinzPet of the Month song, Yanofsky recorded a version of the Webkinz World song "I Dream in Pink".[9]
A 2011 jazz recording of popular Disney songs entitledEverybody Wants to Be a Cat: Disney Jazz, Volume 1included a version of the song "It's a Small World"sung by Yanofsky. Other jazz artists on the album includedEsperanza Spalding,Roy Hargrove,Dave Brubeck,Joshua Redman,andAlfredo Rodriguez.
Yanofsky's second studio album,Little Secret,was released in Canada in May 2014. The album was executive produced byQuincy Jones.
In 2015 Yanofsky began collaborating withWyclef Jeanon her new album and EP. HerSolid Gold EPwas released in Canada on September 30, 2016.[10]
In August 2018, Nikki Yanofsky started teasing on herInstagramfor an upcoming music video. Nikki Yanofsky has worked with Herbie Hancock, Will.i.am, Elton John and now working with her favourite artist and mentor Quincy Jones.[11]"Big Mouth" was released on September 14, 2018.[12]
On July 10, 2020, Yanofsky released her third studio albumTurn Down the Sound.Her fourth studio album,Nikki By Starlight,was released on October 21, 2022.
Stage
edit
Yanofsky began her professional singing career by performing at the 2006Montreal International Jazz Festival.[5]Only 12 at the time, this performance made her the youngest performer ever to headline at the festival. She has returned each year since, including a special outdoor performance for the festival's 30th Anniversary in 2009 and a performance with l'Orchestre Métropolitainin 2011. Her other Canadian festival performances include Toronto (LuminatoandDowntown), Ottawa (JazzandBlues),Vancouver,Victoria,Quebec,Edmonton,Saskatoon,andFredericton.Her international festival appearances include two visits to The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, several European festivals including theNorth Sea Jazz Festivaland theMontreux Jazz Festivalas well as the Ginza International Jazz Festival inJapanatKabuki-za.
On February 8, 2008, Yanofsky's 14th birthday, she kicked off a multi-city tour withMarvin HamlischatCarnegie Hall.In November 2008, she made her Canadian orchestral debut with theEdmonton Symphony Orchestra,and has gone on to sing with theVancouver Symphony,theEdmonton Symphonyand theCalgary Philharmonic.
WithHerbie Hancockon piano, Yanofsky sang "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" at the 2011MusiCares Person of the Yearawards honouringBarbra Streisand.
On April 13, 2013, Yanofsky andStevie Wondersang "Let the Good Times Roll"at theMGM Grand Garden ArenainLas Vegas.The event honoured the joint 80th birthday celebration ofQuincy Jonesand SirMichael Caine.
The Little Secret Tour began on June 21, 2013, promoting Yanofsky's album,Little Secret.[13]
Charitable works
editIn 2008, Yanofsky received the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award from the Quebec Chapter of The Association of Fundraising Professionals. In the course of her career, she has helped raise over $10 million for local, national and international charities. She is currently associated withThe Montreal Children's Hospital,The Children's Wish Foundation,andMusiCounts.She has also lent her voice to oneXone, Leave Out Violence Everywhere (L.O.V.E.), andORT.[14]
Yanofsky sang a solo part in the remake ofK'naan's song "Wavin' Flag"performed byYoung Artists for Haiti.This song was certified platinum for digital downloads in April 2010,[8]and all of the proceeds from the single went to charities.
In October 2010, Yanofsky was awarded the first everAllan Slaight AwardbyCanada's Walk of Fame.[15]This award is presented annually to a young Canadian who is making a positive impact in the fields of music, film, literature, visual or performing arts, sports, innovation or philanthropy.[15]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Details | Peak chart positions[16] | Certifications (sales threshold) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [17] |
CAN Jazz [18] |
BEL (Wa) [19] |
FRA [20] |
US | US Heat |
US Jazz | ||||
| 2008 | Ella...Of Thee I Swing
|
— | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010 | Nikki | 5 | 1 | — | 29 | 105 | 1 | 3 | ||
| 2014 | Little Secret
|
4 | — | 132 | 28 | — | — | 13 |
| |
| 2020 | Turn Down the Sound
|
77 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022 | Nikki by Starlight
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||
EPs
edit- Solid Gold EP(September 2016)[24]
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [25] |
CAN AC [26] |
CAN Hot AC [27] |
CAN DD [28] |
CAN
Jazz |
FRA [20] |
US
Jazz |
UK | ||||||||||
| 2008 | "Lullaby of Birdland" | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | Ella...Of Thee I Swing | |||||||
| 2009 | "I Got Rhythm" | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 9 | — | Nikki | |||||||
| 2010 | "I Believe" | 1 | 9 | 40 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
|
Non-album single | ||||||
| "Cool My Heels" | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | Nikki | ||||||||
| "Wavin' Flag"(Charity single) | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 89 | Non-album single | ||||||||
| 2014 | "Something New" | — | 30 | — | — | — | 96 | — | — | Little Secret | |||||||
| "Necessary Evil" | 52 | 11 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 2016 | "Young Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Solid Gold | |||||||
| "Miss You When I'm Drunk"[33] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 2018 | "Big Mouth"[34] | —[A] | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |||||||
| "Mistletoe" | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 2019 | "Blowin' Smoke" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| 2020 | "Forget" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Turn Down the Sound | |||||||
| "Nerve" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "Loner" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 2022 | "Comes Love" | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | Nikki by Starlight | |||||||
| "I Get a Kick Out of You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "Crazy He Calls Me" (featuringGreg Phillinganes) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "Quiet Night of Stars (Corcovado)" (featuringNathan East) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "C'est Si Bon" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "West Coast Blues" (featuringGreg Phillinganes) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||||||||||
Videography
editDVDs
edit| Year | Details | Certifications (sales threshold) |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Live in Montreal |
|
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Presenter | Award[citation needed] | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Juno Awards | New Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Vocal Jazz Album of the Year:Ella... of Thee I Swing | Nominated | ||
| Canadian Independent Music Awards | Favourite Jazz Artist or Group | Won | |
| 2010 | Félix Awards | English Album of the Year:Nikki | Nominated |
| Most Famous Quebec Artist Outside Quebec | Nominated | ||
| Canada's Walk of Fame | Allan Slaight Award | Won | |
| 2011 | Juno Awards | Vocal Jazz Album of the Year:Nikki | Nominated |
| Canadian Radio Music Awards | Adult Contemporary Song of the Year: "I Believe" | Nominated | |
| WAVE Smooth Jazz Awards | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| Album of the Year:Nikki | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year: "Try, Try, Try" | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Juno Awards | Pop Album of the Year:Little Secret | Nominated |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ab"Yanofsky making inroads into U.S. market".Canadian Jewish News.March 28, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2011.RetrievedApril 6,2011.
- ^ab"Olympics: Nikki Yanofsky inspires hometown pride".The Montreal Gazette.April 14, 2010.RetrievedApril 6,2011.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky: la métamorphose de l'enfant prodige | Régis Tremblay, collaboration spéciale | Sur scène".Cyberpresse.ca.RetrievedMarch 30,2016.
- ^"Jazz baby".The Globe and Mail.RetrievedJune 7,2021.
- ^abcChisling, Matthew."Nikki Yanofsky: Biography".allmusic.RetrievedFebruary 12,2010.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky".CHUMFM.com.nikkionline.ca.RetrievedFebruary 12,2010.
- ^"Artist: Nikki Yanofsky".indies.ca – Independent Music Awards.RetrievedJanuary 16,2012.
- ^ab"Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum – April 2010".Cria.ca. Archived fromthe originalon April 14, 2012.RetrievedOctober 6,2010.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Dreams in Pink with Ganz | WKN: Webkinz Newz".webkinznewz.ganzworld.com.RetrievedFebruary 17,2016.
- ^"Solid Gold – EP by Nikki Yanofsky on Apple Music".iTunes.RetrievedOctober 3,2016.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky on Instagram:" Aretha, The Queen of Soul got a tribute in my new video, even before her passing. Very happy it's in there. Can't wait for everyone to see… "".Instagram.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2021.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.[self-published]
- ^"Big Mouth – Single".iTunes.
- ^"Keep Your Eye on Nikki Yanofsky in 2014 – Culture –".Forward.com.January 2, 2014.RetrievedMarch 30,2016.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Bio"kidzworld.com.Accessed 2016-07-25.
- ^ab"Nikki Yanofsky Honoured with First-Ever Allan Slaight Award From Canada's Walk of Fame".Canada's Walk of Fame.October 4, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 16,2012.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky".Billboard.RetrievedJune 7,2021.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Chart History: Canadian Albums".Billboard.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Shines On PBS, 'nikki Yanofsky: Live In Montreal' Dvd Out June 1, 2010 @ Top40-Charts.com – Songs from 49 Top 20 & Top 40 Music Charts from 30 Countries".Top40-charts.com.RetrievedOctober 6,2010.
- ^"Discographie Nikki Yanofsky".Ultratop.be.RetrievedMarch 30,2016.
- ^ab"Discographie Nikki Yanofsky".Lescharts.com.RetrievedMarch 30,2016.
- ^Culshaw, Peter (February 18, 2011)."Nikki Yanofsky: a lifetime of jazz to come".The Daily Telegraph.London.
- ^"Canadian album certifications – Nikki Yanofsky – Nikki".Music Canada.
- ^"Canadian album certifications – Nikki Yanofsky – Little Secrets".Music Canada.
- ^"Nikki Y has her new EP Out Today".BroadayWorld.September 23, 2016.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky".Billboard.RetrievedJune 7,2021.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Chart History: Canada AC".Billboard.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Chart History: Canada Hot AC".Billboard.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Chart History: Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales".Billboard.RetrievedAugust 9,2019.
- ^"Cool My Heels by Nikki Yanofsky - Song Analysis | ITunes Music Chart Archive".July 18, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2011.RetrievedJune 20,2020.
- ^"I Got Rhythm by Nikki Yanofsky - Song Analysis | ITunes Music Chart Archive".March 6, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon March 6, 2012.RetrievedJune 20,2020.
- ^"Chart Log UK: Rachael Yamagata - Malik Yusef".www.zobbel.de.RetrievedJuly 5,2020.
- ^"Gold/Platinum – Music Canada".Music Canada.October 2014.RetrievedAugust 27,2018.
- ^"Nikki Y Sings Everyone's Truth in Her New Single".September 28, 2016.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky Sampler".Groundwork Artist Management.RetrievedAugust 23,2018.
- ^"Nikki Yanofsky – Chart History: Canada AC".Billboard.Eone Music.RetrievedSeptember 4,2019.
- ^"Canadian DVD certifications – Nikki Yanofsky – Live in Montreal".Music Canada.
External links
edit
Media related toNikki Yanofskyat Wikimedia Commons