Biography

Nicki Leighton-Thomas is a critically acclaimed singer. Born in the UK to a Welsh father and Mauritian mother, she spent her formative years singing in choirs and had her first band at 17. After living in Mauritius and Paris, Nicki went on to study at drama school before moving to London. A chance meeting with composer Simon Wallace, who was working with lyricist and renowned poet Fran Landesman led to Nicki’s first album Forbidden Games (Candid, 2001) which was The Evening Standard’s Album of the Week and received 4* reviews in The Guardian and The Times.

As a fixture on the London jazz scene in the 1990’s, Nicki performed at the 606 Club, Pizza on the Park, Pizza Express Jazz Club in Dean St, The Groucho Club, The Café de Paris, The Barbican, the 100 Club, The Festival Hall as well as at many regional Jazz clubs and festivals, including the London Jazz Festival and The Stables at Wavendon.  

In 2017 Nicki released an album of songs by Dory Previn recorded and produced by John Reynolds and her vocals can be heard on work ranging from artists such as Gary Husband and Belinda Carlisle.  She is currently working on a pop project as part of the John Williams Syndicate which will be released this summer.

Reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dave Gelly
The Observer
“…Pithy, insightful observations on human nature… biting humour, hot sassiness and WTF attitude, both singer and band with it’s alternation of bluesy languor and spiky aggression, capture that convincingly.”
Kevin Le Gendre
Jazzwise
“… devastatingly impressive… Nicki’s song choices are impeccable… pathos, joy, sorrow, optimism and levity… spellbinding… a compelling listen… a triumph.”
Nicki Lea
Jazz Views
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“…swinging and waspish… some gloriously wanton outpourings. Leighton-Thomas oozes slinky menace… luscious slow blues, stingy guitar and rippling tenor sax…”
Jim Gilchrist
The Scotsman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“How great that singer Nicki Leighton-Thomas has joined forces with Wallace… it’s a match made in smoky bohemian heaven, the singer’s intimate delivery pitch perfect for Landesman’s coquettishly crafted confessionals. Dave O’Higgins’s blue-washed tenor sax seals the deal.”
Gary Booth
BBC Music Magazine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“… assured, engaging and astute… Traversing Jazz, blues and pop… Leighton-Thomas delivers with her customary lustrous timbre, rhythmic subtlety and telling eye for detail.”
Peter Quinn
Jazzwise Magazine

High-Res Photos

photo credit: Sammy Adams