Born in Malaysia, Nicole Tan initially moved to Canada to pursue her musical endeavours in classical piano and voice in 2009. Upon completing her Masters in Vocal Performance and Literature at Western University in 2015, she found herself unexpectedly gravitating toward jazz and bossa nova. 

 

It began when Nicole was invited to perform at Graydon Hall - with a very specific request that she must showcase a series of Jobim classics. What began as a mixture of intrigue, frustration, and foreign love, eventually led to a connection and deep passion for the genre. Since then, she has been collaborating with various wonderful musicians to showcase the charm, elegance, and sensuality of jazz and bossa nova.

 

A versatile and multi-faceted performer and songwriter, Nicole is at home with both the contemporary and the classical, while boasting a repertoire of over ten languages. Her combo often playfully showcases jazzified contemporary music that demonstrates a twist on the popular songs we hear today. Of course, she writes and performs quirky and heartfelt originals inspired by life, love, and loss - a journey of someone who moved halfway across the world on her own at a young age. 

 

Nicole is the winner of the 2022 Forest City London Music Awards (Jazz Vocalist) and the recipient of the 2018 Jack Richardson London Music Awards (Classical Vocal Solo). She is also the grateful nominee of the 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026 FCLMA, and a holder of the RCCO Award (2017), BGM Competition Award, I.K. Cheah Memorial Award, Hedy King Robinson Award (ABRSM), Distinction of the Arts Award (Columbia International College), and the Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS). Today, she is researching and conducting classes on holistic body, mind, and sound workshops in her efforts to promote musical therapy.

 

Notable performances: 

 

London Jazz Festival - West Social (2026), Wolf Hall (2025), Ironwood (2024)

Opening Headliner for Sammy Jackson - Aeolian Jazz Festival (2025) 

London City Hall Council/Mayor Meeting, National Anthem  (2025)

London Arts Council Busking Festival Paul Seed Fund (2025)

Nicole Tan - Southen Lounge, Aeolian (2025)

Pride Festival London - (2025) (2022)

Prospect Fights Tournament, National Anthem (2025)

Phoenix Sessions (Aeolian) (2024)

FCLMA Jazz & Classical Awards Host + Performer (2023)

TD Music - Play the Parks (2022)