A classically trained
clarinettist, Jacqui studied saxophone & flute on the
jazz course at Leeds College of Music and started
singing during her three years there. She continued her
education, still as a saxophone player, on the one year
post-graduate jazz course at the Guildhall School of
Music & Drama. Shortly after leaving the Guildhall
Jacqui joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra as their
vocalist and spent the next four years touring and also
recording with them - including the vocal album Looking
Forward Looking Back.
Since 1993 Jacqui has worked with the jazz/funk band
Shakatak, both as backing vocalist and sax player. She's
toured Europe and Eastern Europe, South Africa, the Far
East & Japan numerous times with them and also appears
on their albums Let The Piano Play, View From The City,
Under Your Spell, Blue Savannah, Beautiful Day and the
MOBO nominated Live At Ronnie Scotts.
Jacqui has also worked with the Latin/Pop band Matt
Bianco touring Japan, Indonesia & Europe with them and
appears on their albums Gran Via, Another Time: Another
Place and a re-working of their greatest hits; A
Collection. |
As a session singer
Jacqui has recorded songs for Hal David & John Cacavas,
Duncan Lamont, Brian Dee and Johnny Keating, among
others. She's worked on several soundtracks including
the films Tomb Raider II and Veronica Guerin and
appeared in a couple of Radio 4 plays for the BBC. She
is currently appearing up and down the country with Paul
Lacey's Back To Basie Orchestra.
“It was a great joy for me to find a singer with her
superior musicianship and vocal quality. For me, Jacqui
is the best.”
John Critchinson
Jacqui Hicks' vocals would leave you in no doubt that
you were listening to one of the top jazz/soul artists
working in Britain at the moment... her reworking of My
Foolish Heart had all of the power and passion of the
best modern American singers. An English rose combined
with the artistry of Aretha Franklin or Chaka Khan.
Paul Scott
Musician Magazine |
