Nikki Yanofsky at the 2008 Montreal Jazz Festival

[simomipiaccio]

il mio ideale di ragazza O.OO.O

[irroum]

la relève est assurée !!! voix et assurance exceptionnelle...

[iagazidai33]

c'est cave e cris le jazz

[alexkr00ss]

2:19 Elton?

[kootenaylad]

O.... M.... G....! Absolutely sensational!

[Jangocat]

This girl will save traditional jazz, she can make a career out of preserving classics and will probably come up with some great originals...

[coolsamamir]

oh god , I LOVE HER!!!!!

[patzanu]

What's the song at 0:35 ?

[DaViDcOokRoX115]

@patzanu its halleluja i love her so originally by the great ray charles

[patzanu]

@DaViDcOokRoX115 thanks

[imaninjakapow1]

Oh...My..God...Best singer I've heard in a long time, and here she was 13 or 14..Amazing!!

[DougRH52]

WOW is all I can say !

[geeksquad250]

TAKE MY MONEY!

[chasmoor1]

This young lady is simply fabulous. I 'd like to see her in 10 years.

[azert1989]

she have just 14 year old on this video dawn, fucking amazing

[cinnamoony]

don´t compare her to norah jones! she´s way  much better than n.j.!

[unik70]

She really has the swing !!! If she manages to get rid of a small tendency of pushing her beautiful voice and singing like Celine Dion sometimes :-(, she can really become one of a kind jazz singer. Otherwise she will just be another did-you-see-how-I-can-sing-hig­h-and-loud singer.

[discovery781]

shes more mimic than talent

[chasmoor1]

@discovery781 That's a bit harsh, give her time to find her real voice. Look to she what she is like 10 years from now.

[ale3199]

ur cool n funny in weird way lol

[mac11000]

One of the most gifted singers ever.Perfect pitch,unbelievable power and range.And so young.I love her version of Hendrix.Beautiful.She can sing anything.

[magitar]

This girl has natural God-given talent. She is fantastic. Hope she gets as famous as Michael Bule' !

[Louismovie]

A-MA-ZING!

[theslimeylimey]

Holy crap! At age 14??? This girl was born to sing.

[lomacabrerence]

Bella!!!

[LlewRocksSocks]

holy shit! Her voice is bigger than my body!

[prtzlgc]

Jane Monheit take heed

[PingoIBT]

Nossa! que garota espetacular

[Gr8stuffis]

Is she really thirteen years old here? wow ~

[taiming71]

wow all that from a kid

[lifeispoetrykbh]

@ rr0ck0nlcrss 16 i believe its airmail special

[makkaouii]

I can't believe a 14 year old girl made me love Jazz !!!!

[mingusjazz]

love the way she moves

[mazhay09]

OMG JUST BRILLIANT CANT GET OIVER IT

XX MARINA XX

[divakaneva]

She is Amazing Great to see someone so young bringing back the good old jazz tunes

[TheNonBelieveRr]

And finally the teenager that ACTUALLY sings REAL music!! Not these stupid stuff by Justin Bieber that so many people "love"...

Well done, sister! :)

[twnzach]

Michael Buble! Eat Your Heart Out!

The quality of this girls Jazz is simply astounding. She does greater justice to the Music than Buble ever could.

[domgamer76]

comment peux tu ne pas aimer une jeune avec autant de talent pour sonage, Obélix est tomber dans la possion magique et Nikki est née dans une portée de jazz.

[lovecheeese]

oh my god, she has an amazing voice!

[39R84R]

I will come to Jamaica's Jazz and Blues Festival 2011 just to sit down and listen to you!

You are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[frankinbolton]

She's amazing...but this doesn't come from nowhere. I wanna know about her parents. There's nothing about them on her bios. Hats off to them!

[nancizh]

HOLY she is AMAZING. she is beyond description

[shannabanana11]

She has such a stunning voice. Amazing, especially considering how young she was in this. She's breathing life into a genre of music I never expected young people to appreciate like this. Just splendid.

[iluv2dance03]

ur such and awesome singer nikki

[TheKickerboy99]

She brings a tear to me eye.

[unameitshow]

seriously how old is this girl? I love her voice so much! x3

[mnat28]

@unameitshow In this performance she was 14-she just turned 16 in February-and yea she's amazing!!

[Alyonify]

i love ur voice girl. i hope u bring back the old time music they are my favorites. even though am young i still find them touching to the soul.

[yuckyteeth]

how old is she?

[tarconcontar]

молодец!

[bandaidsareawesome]

oh my goodness nikki you are fricken amazing!!!

: )

[swissdanihaller]

awesome!

[alexlaws28]

She's so dynamic.. seriously she's really good.

[idarija15]

check out Nikki Yanofsky at Ideacity.. Beautiful Preformance

[torktt]

tres belle chanson, cette chanson-la!

Mais j'aime le chanson "j'imajine" par annie au lieu de ca...

[Gregster86]

i'm so overwhelmed by her talent!! hahahaha omg

[HarlemHeat360]

From watching some of her older videos and this, she has definitely matured in her voice. She can really only get better, and I love it.

[snowkitten9]

She's so awesome I love it!!!! :)

[o0Lauryta0o]

No please!! She es better longer!!!

[DoinThupidThings]

Another Canadian prodigy. There's an endless supply of them but this one is something special. Love her 'Believe' song for the Vancouver Olympics

[all4uboom]

I hope she sings at the opening ceremonies! some kids from my school are dancing but she will be the star. next celine dion but better!

[DoinThupidThings]

I hope you are right! I can hardly wait until tomorrow night, enjoy it!

[TheJawsusNSexmanShow]

i thought it was horrible. doesn't do her justice at all

[TheJawsusNSexmanShow]

@ayalahdelly what?

[pwhp2]

this is really genial!!!

[litvak36]

If this girl had come of age during the big band era she would have been bigger than any of the big band singers of that time like Helen Forrest,Helen O'Connell,Dinah Shore,Doris Day etc. At the age of 15,she sings better than any of them did as full grown women. Truly a prodigy.

[spazy831]

wow, fantastic!

[fortyandovercrowd]

my parents reccomended I watch her. my dad commented she's from Canada. good job, Nikki!!

[tizianajole]

you are very fantastic:-)

[r0ck0nlcrss16]

since people have been asking, here's song titles as best as I can figure. minus #4, the only one I don't recognize :( any help? 1)Take the A Train 2)Hallelujah I love Her So 3) God Bless The Child 4)? 5)I Got Rhythm 6) Relax Max 7)Wind Cries Mary 8)The Circle Game 9) Old McDonald all wonderful! Way to go, Nikki! :)

[A440Entertainment]

The "fourth" song is actually the "soli" section to I Got Rhythm. Thanks for taking the time to post this!

Rob

A440 Entertainment, Inc.

[r0ck0nlcrss16]

thanks! I just recognized lyrics, I didn't really know the rest of that song :)

[r0ck0nlcrss16]

i just listened again, I hear it now!

[xDawGx]

@r0ck0nlcrss16

#4 sounds like "Airmail Special"

[TheJazzStreet]

@r0ck0nlcrss16 4) Aimrail Special

[maicortes]

what is the name os the second song?:D LOVE IT

[TheMrLoverLover91]

Ray Charles: Hallelujah, I Love Her So

[hhudaa]

she's fabulous! =)

[maicortes]

thanks:D

[maicortes]

what is the name of the first song?

[dance2live4ever]

i think it's A train by oscar peterson...

[paulostroff99]

dance2live4ever-"Take the a train" by Duke Ellington.

[bouddhasfan]

Jeez!! That's a voice!! She's very talented!! She really has everything to make other singers jealous!

[ozz184]

@fusionjazzband: give her a break! She's got a great voice and jazz technique. Nobody here is saying that she's the next Ella Fitzgerald (who, by the way, wasn't even singing yet at 16). I don't know how you can say that she doesn't even show a tinge of originality - she is clearly interpreting, rather than simply reproducing this music.

On another note, your comments might generate less negative feedback if you'd take the time to check your spelling and grammar before posting.

[lmission]

man....

she's good.

the real deal. no damn autotune and sangin it the way she do.

wow.

[birdsk83]

Take a look to the bassman at 0:37

[ampheat]

inovation and experimentalism has its place in music but not to the detriment of preservation. Music whether classical, jazz or blues needs both traditionalists and innovators. So I welcome her approach to jazz and praise her for her commitment to the traditional genre which helps to perserve the art form.

[sarasarsoora]

wow! AMAZING!!! how come i never heard of this girl beforee!!! SHES SO DAMN TALENTEDDDDDDD!

[thecompanyph]

brilliant! just stunningly brilliant! So much promise and potential....

[lildollface1984]

my goodness she gives me goosebumps.... it takes a lot of character to interpret these songs so well at such a young age. She's brilliant... much like her future.

[Eklarion]

Can anybody tell me how are called first 4 songs?!? thx in advance... :)

[A440Entertainment]

1) Take the "A" Train (Duke Ellington)

2) Hallelujah, I Love Him So (Ray Charles)

3) God Bless the Child (Billie Holliday/Blood, Sweat & Tears)

4) I Got Rhythm (Gershwin)

Thanks for the support!

[ryanz06]

omg she's got sexy voice, i think she's ready for the big stage with a voice like that :)

[williamsj16]

Frig she's hot and none of you can call me wierd cause we're the same age.

[nitzanFB]

what is the name of the first song?

please halp me if you know...

thank you

[A440Entertainment]

Take the "A" Train by Duke Ellington

Thanks for the support!

[Eklarion]

thx

[boboyo007]

she makes the younger guys her age like jazz

thats awesome!

the thing i like about her is that shes not like the slutty disney starts that dont even sing for real

shes real, from montREAL, shes hot, shes fkin awesoooome

[springbok37]

She is superb.

[Mentat1231]

This is just ridiculous! Are you guys actually implying that there is a genre of music that can only exist so long as people don't generally like it??

It is one thing to be disappointed in sell-outs who compromise their music to achieve a larger fan-base. It is quite another to say a singer is no longer genuine, just because many people happen to like her music.

And, by the way, for her age Yanofsky has outstanding talent. There's no need to cheapen that with arbitrary distinctions.

[ChiTown7721]

I totally agree. I'm a huge jazz fan and I don't see any reason why people should be putting down her singing. Unlike most of today's pop stars, this girl can actually sing and doesn't need to lip-synch or dress trashy to get people's attention. She has real talent, which is a lot more than I can say for just about any pop singer. There was a girl from here in Chicago who I saw at the Jazz Fest a few years back that blew me away and she was only 12. Give the kid a break for fucks sake.

[ChiTown7721]

I must also add that this girl has obviously done her homework and listened to a lot of the greats from past years, which is a hell of a lot more than I can say for the vast majority of vocalists out there today.

[fusionjazzband]

yes, true Jazz music is experimental and all new jazz gurus are not excepted by general public. Today some jazz styles became popular and there are just mimiked by some artists like Nikki. I see great ability and talent of this kid, but there is a little jazz in her singing except mimiking the style.

If you want to know what real Jazz is listen to Ella, Sara, Bill Evance, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Keeth Jarret, Bob MacFerrin. etc..

Repeating what's was done before is not in spirit of Jazz

[NaturalRelic]

If repeating is not in the spirit of jazz, kindly explain why many of the greats cover songs, adding their own twists (which is what is being done here). Nikki might have a bit to go, but she's young, and it doesn't have to be completely jazzy to be jazz, you know? Many of Ella's songs are pure blues.

All music is experimental, since new songs are being made. "True" jazz reminds one of pretentious snobs. Music is meant to be heard, not picked apart and studied -- and to each their own ears.

[fusionjazzband]

that's exactly what she is missing-experimental spirit of Jazz, she is gifted, very gifted, most gifted etc but no originality, not even tinge of it.

This is not a musical, that's lack of creativity, that's the way of thinking, feeling.

right now she is just a good machine.

[qpwoeireuty]

but remember she's so young. most of recognized singer at her age couldn't sing even a lick what she can. she'll find her own style sooner or later. watching her make me believe there's hope in so commercialized music world. Niki, keeep singing!!!!!!!!

[Cheeseblazer]

You would have to be one of the stupidest people i have ever read a post from. She is 15 years old and has an amazing talent that should be embraced and encouraged. Not judged and picked apart. If you have children i pity them for having a mother/father with such a negative view, and judgemental personality. Please refrain from posting to save us all the trouble of reading your idiocy

[fusionjazzband]

Dear Cheese,

Nice to have a responce from the smartest people I ever had read a post from and thank you for the insults that comes from the most well upbrought persons I've ever had encountered.

I have to ad that your views are the most positive I've ever heard.

Truth hurts, ouch...

[TheTravelBug89]

Is this because she sings other peoples songs? Um HELLO, most people do! That's how people get their start! She was only fourteen in this video, and she has way more talent than half of the 'musical industry'. None of the 'number one' artists could sing live like she does.

She has true musical talent. I'm sure you're just jealous :)

[fusionjazzband]

read my other comments:) I never said she not talented, in fact she is very talented, she is just pretending doing things she has to grow up to. Jazz was never just singing what other, previous musicians did, it's always about creativity, improvisation(not memorized licks she sings. I'm not geolous I'm rather sadden that kid is forcing to lie about improvisations(Watch her 2 controversial interviews, in a fisrt one she honestly admits she can't improvise and in a second she says she can????

[fusionjazzband]

it;a not about her vocal or musical talent she has plenty of, it's about pretending to be somebody she is definatly not(Jazz singer) and if you don't know what I'm talking about please don't speak of things you don't know.

[lazylivin2008]

you should learn how to spell before you comment on here talent!!!

[fusionjazzband]

realli? I sot I ken anderstant musik widout spelling edukation, ups after your comments, smart Alec, I'd probably quit commenting in English. You discourage me and I lost all confidence I had before.

You are right, since I can't spell she is therefore an absolute marvel, or morvul, how do you spell it

Ciao...

[VenenoCeleste]

@fusionjazzband I agree with you, she can't improvise, but she is very talented and young, so I'm sure that she will learn quickly.

[fusionjazzband]

May be, but I don't thinj that's where she is going. She is obviously going towards comercial singing. Improvisation has to be cultivated, experienced, experimented.

There are mant supertalanted musicians, especialy in classical music, they never learn how to improvise, but they don't call themselves jazz musicians on the other hand.

[VenenoCeleste]

Maybe you'te right, I don't know her very well.

[len344]

Have to agree. I heard her interviewed a few weeks ago and she said she became interested in jazz from listening to Ella. There is nothing of Ella in this young lady's singing. In fact, with due respect all I hear is your typical pop singer inflections overlaying the singing of some jazz material. Not saying she isn't very talented. But a jazz singer, not unless you think today's pop diva's are jazz singers.

[fusionjazzband]

any true jazz musician cannot be popular as a pop star, simply because Jazz is an experiment, experiment of the body and soul. It's always so fresh and innovative that general population does not get it right away(may be years later).

Quincy Jones was once asked "what is a jazz record?" He said "True jazz record, when it sells under 10.000, anything more is pop".

Quincy Jones.

[marilynstclair]

That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever read. You're like one of those posers that claim they only appreciate "underground" music, but everything you like is something that someone else told you about.

It doesn't matter what type of music someone sings or plays. Is a jazz artist becomes popular, it doesn't make them any less jazz.

[fusionjazzband]

From your comments it's clear that you don't have any idea what jazz is.

Sure Nikki is supertalanted kid, no doubt, but she is hardly a jazz musician.

and please, before you comment, make sure you know what you are talking about

[1Mohr]

Lighten Up ! Who cares what or who is in her voice ,, I can hear the sound of money and she`ll probably have a great life ! God Bless Her !

[len344]

I think you nailed it. You can "hear the sound of money". I'm sure she will be successful. But it will be in the pop genre. All I'm saying is that as a pathologic jazz lover i seek out modern day versions of the giants of the past. Frankly, few current singers make the cut for me. (I do like Roberta Gamborini a lot though)

This young lady is a most talented pop singer who has chosen to use jazz as a vehicle. Many I'm sure will like her. I for one do not.

[fishayyy]

look at the randy people below. fushionjazzband sounds jealous

[delduvath]

Agree with you!

Also seen people saying that someone should teach her how to improvise ... o.O but if someone teaches her that... then that becomes a pattern..

She will learn on her own which is best, i know she will.

Thanks to the user for uploading this.

[fusionjazzband]

she might learn how to improvise later, you are right but not neccessarily, because improvisation is totaly another skill or gift. Improvisation is about freedom of expression, freedom to say or sing things differently then anybody else did before. She needs to be explained the proncipals of improvisation and then, if she likes it, she may develope that skill. There are certain patterns within the style of this or that artist, but true improvisers never plan anything ahead:)

I repeat she isG.K.

[braintreecat]

Amazing talent. I'm sure father Richard (pianist) has a lot to do with her direction and talent. She's the real deal-total package. It wouldn't be a great Montreal Jazz Festival without her ! A Camp Baco graduate.

[fusionjazzband]

tottaly agree, she is an amazing kid, but in order to be a true jazz singer she needs to learn how to improvise and not to sing learned jazz patterns:)

[braintreecat]

Truth be told most jazz players have "patterns" they know will work over certain changes. Listen to out takes from old Blue Note sessions and hear are similar the solos (not all) are. Being a "jazz singer" isn't always about scat singing a solo but rather how they approach and re-imagine a song's melody without losing the lyrical content and emotion and meaning. Billie Holiday comes to mind. This girl has the tools to do it but there are many other elements she has to offer too. Time will tell.

[fusionjazzband]

The question is simple:

Is Jazz about Improvisation or style, or both?

Most musicians agree that Jazz is both style and improvisation but make accent on impros. B.Evance thought it was about improvisation and style is secondary, Miles Davis-similar thoughts. For some strange reason that is not how Jazz is tought today at "Jazz schools"-that's why musicians accent on cristaliesed styles rather then on intuitive and creative approach

It's obvious that Nikki is a comercial success but TBC...

[fusionjazzband]

... there is a little Jazz in what she does, all the patterns she sings are obviously memorised, if you call that Jazz, I don't know what to say. That's pop to me:)

It sounds like Jazz because it's done in Jazz style but not in creative spirit-and she may never learn that if she is carried away by comercial success-why learn the truth where you can make a lot's of money now:) Nevertheless the kid is amazing and I wish her success:)

[braintreecat]

Likewise!

[chatonpmg]

A junior Roberta Gamborini. Wonder if she sticks with jazz or crosses to where the dollars can be made. Hope its jazz she picks.

[Marilou3000]

i saw her saturday too!!! shes gotten sooo good.... and beleive me im picky..lol shes only freking 15 and i can compare her to big pop stars already... she'll learn how to improvise in time.... you need to imitate before you can come up with you're own..... watch her in a few years she'll kick EVERYONES BOTTOM!!!!.LOLOL

[fusionjazzband]

She has a gorgeous voice and talent, but in Jazz she is just "well trained monkey".

Jazz is about improvisation and all I hear is prepared music. Someone should teach her how to improvise and then no doubt she may become next jazz superdiva.

[alteregosuzy]

where do you think Ella was at her age?

[rodydoo12]

Hell She's amazing i discovered her last year and i've loved her since!

[brusselsmike]

Agree with yu! like this...its nothing special...for now

[bmcgee420]

Stunning, as always!

[ennyct93]

è bravissimaaa...KE TALENTO MAMMA MIA!!!complimentii..voce strepitosaa!

[kiki595]

not bad...how old is she in this vid

[pofole]

something like 14,,, I think

[kkkasha01]

she is 14, i saw her saturday and she was 15

[piojolily2007]

Just great, and Yes, a garota tem muito talento!

[acsial]

VERY talented. She could play Judy Garland.

[rodydoo12]

she already does

[arcticglory]

Nikki is jewish and god bless her. What an amazing talent...watch out for her...in a few years...she'll kick some ass!

L'chaim!

[mispistoleros]

a gorota tem talento.

my sister sang; sammy davis used to buy her champagne and once, after a performance, henry mancini told her she sang "moon river" as he intended. that sort of compliment only comes with age, experience..and pathos. when she was written up, no one mentioned she's catholic (or polish, which is the case), a non-issue.

n.y. has amazing talent and promise but a rich interpreter's phrasing will only come later.

i hope she doesn't overdo it: polyps.

let her grow up.

bravo, n.y!

[olneyfig]

A garota é SENSACIONAL!

[awesomerocks124]

goregous!

[hellokitty0571989]

wow....UR GREAT!

[oxiano101]

ok, she is good

[itisallgreektome]

your dresses and your voice are AMAZING!!!!!

[Kleobaba2]

csodálatos

[xetherealx]

What is the first song?

[OxnerdKi]

take the A-train

by duke ellington.

the original has no lyrics, she added them herself over the horn solo

[clauconverse]

she's soooo amazing love her

[calakito44]

She's veeeeeeeery AMANZING

[Anoush23]

i

am

SPEECHLESS.

[frisco1957]

The first language of Nikki is english, but she can also speak french fluently .She is 15 years old now.

[TedKingfan]

She was interviewed on Radio Canada (French tv station) today and she is clearly not fluent. She isn't bad but she is far from fluent.

She's got a lovely voice, I hope she continues training it. She said in the interview that she wants to sing every genre and not be restricted to jazz. I really hope we don't see a bubble gum pop release because that would do a disservice to her voice.

[Necaspipa]

Man, this girl is amazing! So much soul, such a powerfull voice!!!! How old is she?!

She´s simply fantastic!

[ottamtakietam]

Nikki you are great. And your surname sounds so Polish..the way it wd be originally spelled wd be Jankowski.

[nscuriel]

Not Polish, Jewish

[ottamtakietam]

She might be of Jewish origin.. but her surname DEFINITELY IS POLISH. no doubt about that.:)

[jkhallenborg]

She could be both! There are such things as Jewish Polish people!

[pripstein]

guys guys let me resolve your discussion i am here 2nd cousin i see here all the time she is jewish and not polish all though our great grand parents are polish jews that does not have anything to do with here 1rst name

[MackenzieSutherland]

actually the polish names that end in ski are spelled s k i her last name is actually jewish

I do see that she is apparently polish from pripstein but her last name is not