“Straighten Up and Fly Right” was the opener for NICKI PARROTT & QUINTESSENCE with Nicki on Bass & Vocals, Brendan St. Ledger on Keyboards, Tyler Cooney playing the Guitar, Rodney Ford on Drums and Shannon Marshall blowing the Trumpet and Flugelhorn. The group were in full flight already. The audience sat stunned then erupted with applause. A bossa nova led into Shannon's trumpet and a stylish version of “Blackbird”. Nicki followed with a mellow “I Need Your Love” and then a swinging up-tempo version from Rodney with “Secret Love”. The floor was full of dancers now. A group slow blues numbers followed, then a gentle Nicki vocal “Beyond the Sea “ to finish the first set. Could the next set be better? YES!!
The Ray Noble classic “The Very Thought of You” sung gently by Nicki followed by a tender keyboard solo from Brendan brought a nice applause. Songs from Nicki and Rodney gave way to a swinging “Chicago' which featured all members with solos. Nat King Cole's “Walking My Baby Back Home “ featured a Nicki vocal and bass solo. “As Time Goes By” allowed Shannon to show why he is one of the best on trumpet. Rodney sang a powerful Ray Charles “ I Got a Woman” with an outstanding drum solo . Nicki summed up the afternoon with a statement “I am Woman”. The audience gave a standing ovation for a wonderful afternoon of just great music from the best musicians.
