photos by www.brazeauphoto.com
A musician and singer since childhood, Nicole Ratté evolved in different styles before developing a true passion for jazz. At home on the stage, she is known for her warm and effervescent presence and her light and sensual voice. Her performances include her favourite jazz standards, with some special arrangements of well known French and Quebec songs. Featured outstanding musicians are: Jean-Pierre Allain on piano, Normand Glaude on bass, Denis Ouellet on drums and Mike Tremblay on saxophone.

Nicole is one of the voices of Big Band Caravane and performed with them at the Ottawa International Jazz festival, at the National Library and in many events and venues (all the Museums and some festivals). She sings regularly on local stages with several of the best musicians in the area. She appeared with her quintet at the Ottawa Jazz Festival, at the “Casino du Lac-Leamy Sound of Light”, at “L’Outaouais en fête” and at many other venues and events (Rideau Hall, Hilton, Civilisation Museum, National Gallery, War Museum, Congress Centre, Monterey Inn, Maison Maxime, Petit Chicago, Café Paradiso, etc.). Nicole was also part of the Tribute to Ella and Billie performed at the NAC Fourth Stage as well as the Merrickville's Jazz Fest and the Thousand Island Jazz & Blues Festival.

After a childhood full of music, from classical piano to rock guitar and from church organ to flute ensemble, she studied piano and cello. Since then, she has been involved in several musical and vocal groups. She performed interesting roles in the vocal group Top Passion - a producer of musicals on the local scene and sang in several small vocal ensembles, such as the a cappella jazz quintet “C’est What?” (from Manhattan Transfer to Take 6), which began her passion for jazz. She has coordinated and taken part in numerous musical projects over the years with symphonic orchestras, concerts bands, big bands and many others.

Nicole has studied vocal technique and jazz interpretation and has participated in workshops given by Julie Michels, Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton, Giacomo Gates and Barry Harris. She is now studying with Toronto jazz vocalist Tena Palmer.

Nicole recently received a Stage Performance Award at Gatineau 2014's Culturiades for the production of Le jazz d'une génération à l'autre, featuring more than 35 singers and musicians. Visit the website at www.jazzgenerations.com to know more about this project.

Nicole also teaches vocal jazz, piano and voice with her communicative enthusiasm. Her jazz workshops are now generating new jazz vocalists and new jazz fans.