Nikki Yanofsky Interview Page 4

NY:  Yeah.

Jazz Monthly:  Well, I must say, Nikki, that if I had my way and I owned Carnegie Hall, you would have a standing invitation.

NY:  Thank you.

Jazz Monthly:  So now you talked about the record, the new record that you just finished.  Tell me a little bit about it.

NY:  Well, like I said, you can definitely hear who I’m inspired by but I still like to put my own twist on it.  You know, there are five covers on there, just songs that are too good not to put on there.  You know, they’re unbelievable so I’m like “Oh, I have to sing this one.”  So those are on there.  I’m not gonna spoil it by telling everybody what they are, but you have to buy the album to see.

Jazz Monthly:  I love that.

NY:  And then the original songs, I mean, there’s one, I think, yeah, there’s one love song on the whole entire album and I don’t even know where I got the inspiration to write the words for those because I’ve never actually been in love, but I don’t know.  I just sort of thought—I don’t even know what I was thinking—but my mom says it’s really cool to listen to because for someone that’s never been in love, it’s pretty accurate, so I’m like “Oo, that’s good to know.”

Jazz Monthly:  There’s the stamp of approval right there.

NY:  Yes. The rest of the songs, they talk about basically what I go through, you know, certain things that…. I’m very curious so some of the songs are about curiosity, some of the themes of it, you know, and then there’s just having fun and walking in other people’s shoes, putting myself in other people’s positions. It’s really just me on an album. Like now that I’m even talking about it now, it’s making me think even more about one of the song…. it’s called “Don’t Ask Me Why” and it’s about questions that I don’t know the answers to. That’s one of the themes of that song.  It’s just everything that I believe in and everything that makes up who I am is on this album.

Jazz Monthly:  Nice.

NY:  So I’m really excited to have it out there so people can get to know me.

Jazz Monthly:  Yes, that’s wonderful.

NY:  Thank you.

Jazz Monthly:  Well, I hope that everyone gets the record because they’re in for a treat.

NY:  Thank you.

Jazz Monthly:  Oh, absolutely.  Now, when does that record come out?

NY:  Hopefully in the spring, but I don’t know the drop date yet.  We’ll see.

Jazz Monthly:  Okay.

NY:  We don’t have a specific date.

Jazz Monthly:  Right.

NY:  We don’t even have a title for the album yet.

Jazz Monthly:  Oh, cool.

NY:  Because there are so many different genres that we might want to put something like “These Are My Hats” or something, like all different things that I like to do.

Jazz Monthly:  That’s pretty good.  Wow.  Now, how can people get Ella… Of Thee I Swing?

NY:  They could get it in , well, if they live in Canada, it’s only sold in Canada, but you can also get it, I think, on Amazon.com.  I’m not sure.  Or you can just go to my site, www.nikkionline.ca or www.nikkiyanofsky.com.  It leads you to the same site either way. But I think that there’s a link on there to actually buy the CD/DVD.

Jazz Monthly:  Okay, very cool.  Great website too by the way.  So tell me, there are a lot of 14-year-olds out there that want to perform, want to record.  What would you say to them about their goals and their passion for music?

NY:  I say this every time and it’s very cliché, but if you have a dream, chase it because that’s exactly what I’m doing.  I really, really want this, so I’m putting my all into it.  And if you’re really, really dedicated to it, it’ll come. Whether it be a school play that you get the part or whether you get a recording contract, or anything that you really, really want, you can achieve, so that’s definitely my advice.

Jazz Monthly:  Well, I think that’s very good advice to have and very good goals to have.  Nikki, I must say that I am completely excited about what you’re doing and I would say to you keep making it fun, keep having fun with it above all, and you’ve got a great team supporting you and count those blessings and keep making great music, my friend.

NY:  Thank you.  I will.  That’s one thing I can promise for sure.

Jazz Monthly:  We have been talking with the incredible and amazing Ms. Nikki Yanofsky.  Her latest record is Ella:  Of Thee I Swing.  It is available at Amazon, at her Web site, and other stores beyond in Canada, and her new record, please be on the lookout for it in the spring of ’09, and if you see her appearing at any venue or event, don’t miss it.  It is something to be a part of.  It is a great experience.  Nikki, it’s a pleasure and an honor thank you so much for talking with me so candidly.

NY:  Thank you for having me.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

For More Information Visit www.nikkiyanofsky.com and www.nikkionline.ca