Saturday, December 6th, 2008 1:29 PM
* NEW - NICK'S MENTORING FEATURED ON ALLABOUTJAZZ.COM
".....most fans don't realize that Colionne has spent more than a decade working with kids as young as five years old, not only for the sake of jazz but also for the simple joy he experiences by impacting a young person's life in a positive way. "
In an insightful interview, "Nick Colionne: Making a Difference for the Future", Mikayla Gilbreath discusses in depth with Nick how he feels about mentoring and the effect it has on him and the kids he works with. Remarkably, Mikayla herself is one of the young people affected by Nick and others like him - she is 15 and the youngest member of the prestigious Jazz Journalists Association.
>> read the full interview at AllAboutJazz.com
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 7:30 PM
* NEW - SHOWCASE CD ON JAZZLYNX.NET
"With a style that stretches across urban and contemporary, Nick Colionne's star continues its meteoric rise so that "No Limits" is rightly the phrase of the day!!"
Ted Hasiuk, JazzLynx and Cafe Jazz Radio, Canada's Smooth Jazz Connection
>> visit JazzLynx.net to read the article
>> visit Cafe Jazz Radio to listen to the program
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 4:24 PM
PERFORMANCE REVIEW - SMOOTHVIEWS.COM, KETTLE MORAINE JAZZ FESTIVAL
I"t´s been awhile since I´ve attended such a high energy show, and a long while since I´ve witnessed one with a standing ovation for every single song."
review by Anne Aufterheide, SmoothViews.com
>> visit SmoothViews.com
Thursday, September 11th, 2008 1:00 PM
JAZZLYNX.NET - REVIEW
September 7th, 2008 Edition #492
Jazz Lynx and Cafe Jazz Radio, Canada's Smooth Jazz Connection
From a teen who would paint on a mascara moustache to look older when he played, to an artist who continues to ride the crest of his popularity, it's now Nick Colionne's turn to reap the rewards of many years of devotion to his craft. After his '94 debut and several years wherein he enjoyed modest success, it was nearly 10 full years before Colionne would crack the smooth scene - but crack it he did and in no small way. Following the success of Just Come On In, his 4th release, which spawned one of the major hits for the year in High Flyin', Nick hit pay dirt again with Keepin' It Cool, a project that led to his selection as the "International Instrumental Artist of the Year" at the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. Now with his much-anticipated follow-up, his debut on Koch Records, and his 6th over-all, Colionne sets "no limits" on his rise to stardom. Hard grooving and soulful, from that effort we have the title track and a tune that suggests there is no bound to the charismatic performer's potential !!
>> visit JazzLynx.net
Monday, August 11th, 2008 1:00 PM
RHYTHMFLOW.NET - "UPTEMPO AND KICKIN'"
Cool Jazz, for a Hot Summer! Nick Colionne is raising the bar, and it has "No Limits".
>> read review
Sunday, August 10th, 2008 1:00 PM
JAZZREVIEW.COM REVIEW - DAZZLING!
Gifted guitarist Nick Colionne´s latest release on the Koch Records label is entitled No Limits. It´s ample proof that one of smooth jazz´s premier road warriors can also deliver in the recording studio...Nick´s lethal combination of vocal and guitar punch is impressive.
Reviewed by Randall Parrish
>> read review
Sunday, August 10th, 2008 1:00 PM
PERFORMANCE REVIEW - CLOSE UP 2 JAZZ FESTIVAL
This three-day festival came to an end with an appearance by Chicago's own, national recording star, Nick Colionne. Nick, always dapper, brought along his sidekick of eight years, bassist Dave Hiltebrand, in addition to drummer Jabari and local standouts, Mike Logan on keys and Buddy Fambro, another longtime collaborator, on guitar.
(Colionne's) two plus hour set was magnificent. Nick was debuting his new CD entitled "No Limits" and highlighted several selections from this recently released recording. Colionne thrilled the large finale crowd with several "duels" with the ever-present bassist Hiltebrand. It simply was the highlight of the evening. Nick has a huge Chicago fan base and they seemed to enjoy every moment from the talented guitarist/vocalist. He was the perfect option to close this festive three-day affair.
Reviewer: James Walker, Jr.
Sunday, August 10th, 2008 1:00 PM
SOULBROTHER.COM REVIEW - UPTEMPO FUNKY/SMOOTH GEMS
Nick Colionne's guitar playing has been compared to George Benson and from style and tone standpoint you can hear why. Cuts like 'No Limits', the mellow 'The Big Windy Cat' and the ultra fast 'Godfather J' are uptempo funky/smooth gems. 'Steppin Back' has that steppers feel, whilst 'Headin Wes Before Dawn' takes a melodic route in paying homage to Wes Montgomery. There are 3 vocal cuts and ...his crooning style works on the laid-back 'Melting Into You'. This is a fine exhibition of Smooth Jazz guitar.
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 1:00 PM
ALLMUSIC.COM REVIEW - EXCITING!
Guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne's new recording is packed with an exciting blend of jazz, funk, R&B and a touch of the blues.
With the addition of his rich baritone voice, the fresh tracks on NO LIMITS incorporate the many musical influences (including Wes Montgomery) Colionne has had throughout his career...His passionate baritone voice is yet another reason to stay tuned to this amazing asset in his seemingly limitless repertoire.
But in the long run, it's Nick Colionne's guitar prowess that takes this CD to the next level and makes it highly entertaining, romantic, bluesy and definitely without limits.
Reviewed by Paula Edelstein
>> read review
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 1:00 PM
JAZZ TIMES REVIEW (ALSO PUBLISHED IN SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS) - THE TRADITION LIVES ON
Guitarist Nick Colionne likes to mix it up on his smooth jazz CDs, and he's certainly done it with the winning NO LIMITS. Colionne has a fluid style that is pleasing to the ear whether he's playing jazz or funk, ballads or uptempo tunes, all of which he does here. He certainly gets to show off a range of styles, all anchored by his delightful hooks and soloing.
The title track "No Limits", for example, offers a killer melody and inspired soloing...he's certainly given his audience reason to cheer on tracks that should go over well in live shows, such as the bluesy "The Big Windy Cat", "On The Edge" and especially "Godfather J", Colionne's tribute to James Brown.
One constant that Colionne returns to on his CDs is a selection of vocal tunes, which highlight his deep and seasoned voice. Finally, another constant - a tribute to (Wes) Montgomery - is realized with "Headin' Wes Before Dawn". The tradition lives on.
Reviewed by Brian Soergel
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 1:00 PM
SMOOTHVIEWS.COM - TERRIFIC!
Nick Colionne - a name that automatically evokes a smile...and the knowledge that you are about to have a party! Nick's latest release, NO LIMITS, does not disappoint. With a terrific blend of R&B, blues, instrumentals and vocals, Nick puts his unbridled touch on each and every song.
More so than any of his previous recordings, this CD is Nick Colionne -in passion, in emotions, and delivery. If you have ever been to one of his concerts, you feel the same groove throughout this CD.
Aptly titled, this album proves that there are no limits to where he can go..this CD is an amazing compliation of varied tempos, instrumentals, and vocals. With talent like Nick's, the sky's the limit.
Reviewed by Bonnie Schendell
>> read review
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 1:00 PM
SMOOTHJAZZ.DE - STRONGER THAN EVER
Nick Colionne is back again, stronger and better than ever. Undoubtedly Nick is an in-demand live performer with a repertory from R&B, contemporary jazz to blues and soul. The experience of his (hundreds of) live dates is mirrored on his new album.
NO LIMITS starts with power and energy with the title track, and Nick's second home is the chords of his beloved guitars. The heartfelt ballad "Melting Into You" opens the view on Nick's second talent, his matured vocals. He has a similar timbre to the late Jon Lucien.
Nick Colionne is a trademark for top quality.
Reviewed by H.B. Huelsmann, Publisher
>> read review
Monday, June 16th, 2008 1:00 PM
R&R - "NO LIMITS" IS FIRST RATE
Carol Archer, in her R&R column Going For Adds, says ... "Filed under 'not your grandmother's smooth jazz,' Nick Colionne's first single -- the title track from his audacious label debut for KOCH, NO LIMITS -- swings with the best; a first-rate tune that merits top consideration ... "
Sunday, June 15th, 2008 1:00 PM
SMOOTHJAZZTHERAPY.COM - EXCELLENT!
Those who have seen him play live will have been blown away by the sheer energy that Colionne injects into his music. It's an element of his persona that comes right out of his hometown of Chicago and he brings all this and more to his excellent up-coming release NO LIMITS.
Already described as both unique and varied, NO LIMITS is Colionne's way of pushing the artistic envelope into areas that transcend genres or styles of play. Right from the get-go he uses the mid-tempo title track "No Limits" to demonstrate the energetic infectious (style) that he has made his own.
Colionne...cranks the groove to produce another great example of his special high octane, contemporary jazz which, in every respect, is a joy from beginning to end.
Reviewed by Denis Poole, Publisher
>> read review
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 1:00 PM
THEURBANMUSICSCENE.COM - GUITAR SENSATION!
The debonair, slick paced, cool guitar sensation Nick Colionne swings his grooves your way with another jazz staple for the airwaves. It's smooth, laidback, funky & enjoyable to say the least.
From the easy, contemporary strokes of the strings to a chilled, simply composed R&B grooved track...(the CD) presents what the ever gifted musician Nick C. is all about.
There are "NO LIMITS" when it comes to the bluesy, contemporary jazz style of Guitar player Nick Colionne."
Reviewed by Publisher Terrill Hanna
>> read review
Sunday, June 1st, 2008 1:10 PM
PERFORMANCE REVIEW - 2007 CATALINA JAZZTRAX FESTIVAL
Nick Colionne´s set was absolutely incredible and will probably be voted the best performance of the festival. Colionne can easily be considered one of the best showmen in the industry, based not only on his ability to connect with the audience but also because of his extraordinary talent as a musician. Playing everything from contemporary jazz to smooth jazz to blues to rock and roll, Colionne had the audience in the palm of his hand. Colionne´s pairing of storytelling, humor and superb musical talent make him a musical tour de force. His show is an "experience" that is unrivaled in the smooth jazz industry.
Review by the Jazz Gypsy on SmoothVibes.com
