By Cara Sulieman
A SCOTTISH jazz singer is set to wow the country’s shopping elite when she starts her new residency.
Teaming up with Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh’s Niki King will be performing at weekly gigs in the plush venue.
The 32-year-old is looking forward to creating what she describes as a “unique musical event” for the audience.
She said: “There’s nothing else like it out there. I really am looking forward to providing a soulful, funky and jazzy evening for the audience.
“Usually when you play a concert you have this great rapport with the audience and then maybe don’t play in that venue again for a few months.
“With this, I like the idea that the audience will enjoy the evening and then come back for some more.”
With a soulful set planned, Niki and her five-piece band will be combining original material with classic songs.
She said: “I want to showcase my own music but at the same time we will be playing some covers as well.
“I am very conscious of making sure the concert isn’t cheesy, so the covers that we do play will be very carefully chosen. Harvey Nichols is a unique venue for music and needs a unique set.”
And not only does Niki think that the unique night will pull in the crowds, but that it will give Scotland a night to rival places like the famous Birdland jazz club in New York.
She said: “To have a lovely meal followed by a show like this is the way they do it in places like Birdland. It will be a new and really nice experience for people.”
The Fourth Floor Restaurant Manager, Ross McGregor, is excited about the collaboration and the touch of class that Niki will bring to the evening.
He said: “I wanted Niki to play at the store because we have a long-held reputation for quality, and I can’t think of a higher quality act to present to our customers than Niki King.
“Her voice is so powerful and beautiful. I think our customers will be blown away by these shows.”
As well as her residency at the upmarket store, Niki is packing her diary full of events for 2009.
Her new album will be released in the summer, when she also plans to play at a number of jazz festivals in the UK and Europe.
Another project for the Edinburgh songwriter is the Billie Holiday Songbook, a series of concerts around Scotland that will be a very different experience for Niki.
She said: “It is a celebration of Billie Holiday’s music and the kind of songs she brought to the table. They will be much more intimate concerts.”
Playing at Harvey Nichols once a month, Niki and her band will be part of the nights on February 27, March 27, May 1 and June 5.
Tickets are £60 per person and include a welcome cocktail, a three course meal and the show.
