Playing From the Heart and Giving Back With Nick Colionne

Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage

Host Carl Brown talks with Nick Colionne who’s the only artist in Smooth Jazz with 5 consecutive Billboard #1 hits from the same album. He’s been playing professionally since he was 14 and Carl affectionately describes him as “the best dressed man in all of music”.

Nick spends a lot of time volunteering his time hanging out with kids to help guide them through their lives. Carl and Nick emphasize the importance of giving back, being part of the community, and making a difference in the lives of young people.

Nick shares why he prefers to be on stage performing over recording in the studio and how he feels when he hears his songs on the radio. His 11th album, Finger Painting, came out in 2020 and his new release, Just Like That, will be released in Spring 2022.

Find out what Nick thinks about “Cribs” in the Bout It or Doubt It segment, and his top three albums of all time.

Highlights:

04:11 I basically play from the heart. I feel like if I play from the heart, I’ll touch somebody’s heart and that’s better than touching their ears because if it goes in one ear, then it’s out the other one.

07:38 I see music in colors. When you’re creating music, you’re painting a picture for people to see. So, I figured I’m painting a picture with my fingers, so, Finger Painting.

16:01 Things are opening up, and hopefully they’ll keep opening up if people do what they’re supposed to do to keep themselves and the rest of us safe.

16:53 I have the same feeling every time I hear one of my songs on the radio. The radio will be down really low and I’ll hear it in the background, and like, whoa, that’s me. And I’ll get that same silly smile on my face every time.

21:11 I believe that most young people are inherently good, and if they get a chance to see possibilities, then that can change their lives.

Contact:

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Nick Colionne