- Nina Vidal
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Nina Vidal 
Background information Genres Contemporary Vocalist, Contemporary Jazz, Soul, Pop, World Occupations Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Arranger Years active 2004–present Labels Village Again, VAA Urban, Sweet Mimosa, Ccreatives Group Website www.ninavidal.com Nina Simone Vidal, (born April 20), is an American singer-songwriter and pianist known best by her stage name, Nina Vidal.
In 2008, Nina released her self-titled debut album, which gained her immense success in Japan. Within six days of the release, Nina Vidal became the most downloaded album on iTunes. From there, the album went on to become the number 1 Contemporary Jazz Album in Japan, with five of Vidal’s songs on the top 10 most downloaded Jazz songs on iTunes.
In 2010, Nina Vidal released the singles "Cigarette & Wine" and the Paul McCartney written song "My Love" on iTunes.[1] The singles were songs taken from her second full-length album, The Open-Ended Fantasy which was released in Japan on September 1 and is due out in the U.S. summer of 2011.
In July of 2011 an album of cover songs entitled "Love, Pop & Soul" (The Cover Session Vol. 1) was released and became the #1 Jazz Album in Japan.
Contents
Music career
Nina was born in Queens, New York. While a student at New York University, Nina attended a monthly open-mic night. On one such occasion she met musician, producer and composer Caté.[2] She passed her demo on to him and after hearing it Caté agreed to produce some of her songs. These songs would later by put together in an EP, entitled Do It Again.[3]
In 2004, Nina was contacted by the Japanese label Uni-Village. Executives had heard her songs and wanted to sign her on their label for a full album.
In 2008, Uni-Village released Nina Vidal, which received extraordinary praise. The Soul Express (Finland) called it “A timeless masterpiece!” Adam Greenberg of Allmusic.com wrote that, “Nina Vidal takes her inspiration from a wide array of classic female singers…she breaks loose with a subdued, smoldering style.”[4]
Nina’s first album toppled Norah Jones Come Away With Me as the number one Contemporary Jazz album in Japan – a spot Nina would hold for eight months straight. It also became the number 1 most downloaded album on iTunes in September of that year, and five of its tracks made it to the Japanese Top 10 most downloaded Jazz songs. She was only 25 years-old.[5]
On September 15, 2010 Nina’s album The Open-Ended Fantasy was released exclusively in Japan. It became the #1 Contemporary Jazz Album in that country in less then 24 hours. It had five songs on iTunes Japan Top Ten Jazz Singles simultaneously including the #1 Single "Cigarette & Wine" which was written by Nina. The U.S. edition to be released in 2011.[6]
Nina worked again with Caté who produced her follow-up album, The Open-Ended Fantasy.
In 2010 Nina signed a Publishing deal with Universal Music Japan.
In July of 2011 Nina released "Love, Pop & Soul" (The Cover Session Vol. 1) on the Japanese label Village Again. An album of cover songs she has again worked with her partner and producer, Caté. On July 28, 2011 it reached the #1 position on iTunes Japan and became Nina's 3rd consecutive album to reach number 1 in Japan.
Recognition in Japan
The recognition Nina received in her home country of the United States is trumped considerably by the esteem bestowed on her by the Asian audience. Starting in 2004, with the executives at Uni-Village records releasing her first album, and continuing to topping the Japanese Billboard charts, Nina owes a great deal of her success to Japan, Singapore, the Philippines and other Asian countries.
In 2010, Nina’s album, The Open-Ended Fantasy, was released exclusively in Japan with a U.S. edition to be released in 2011.[6]
In January 2011 Nina began working on a new album covering love songs from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It will be released Spring of 2011 through Uni-Village records.
Personal life
A frequent traveler to Asia and Europe Nina currently resides in New York City.
Sound and Influences
Nina is influenced by Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop and World music. She has been compared to: Jeff Buckley, Tracy Chapman, Amos Lee, Lizz Wright, Djavan, Nina Simone, Anita Baker, Sade, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Fiona Apple.[7]
Collaborations
On The Open-Ended Fantasy album, Vidal collaborates with such prominent artists as Lonnie Plaxico, Jean Caze, Jeff Haynes, Lee Hogans, and Jody Redhage.
Nina was the featured vocalist on the song Moon Child by Japanese artist Kenichiro Nishihara.[8]
Nina has collaborated with producer/composer Caté on most of her recorded work.
Discography
Albums: The Open-Ended Fantasy - Sweet Mimosa Music (US) tbd, Village Again (Japan) 2010 Best Female Jazzy Tunes - Best Female Jazzy Tunes - Village Again 2010 Nina Vidal Nina Vidal - Sweet Mimosa Music (US) 2007, Village Again (Japan) 2008 Nina Vidal Live Session- Live Session EP - iTunes Japan Exclusive - Village Again (Japan) 2008
Singles: Cigarette & Wine - Sweet Mimosa Music/CCreatives (US)2010 Driving - Ram Cafe Vol.3 - Lounge & Cillout - Magic Records (Poland) 2008
Compilations: Life - Moon Child - Kenichiro Nishihara - Life - Unprivate (Japan) 2010[8] Absolute Voices Driving - S2S (Singapore) 2009 Luv U 100% - Reggae Female Vocal Collection -Village Again (Japan) 2009 True Soul Sistas - Moving Along - Soul UK (Britain) 2009 Addicted To House - Why- Single 7 - SoulStar (Germany) 2008
References
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cigarette-wine-single/id382169177
- ^ http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/catefunkyworld/from/swissgroove
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/nina-vidal-r1524304
- ^ http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8244182
- ^ http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/NinaVidal1
- ^ http://www.cdbanq.com/Nina-Vidal--The-Open-Ended-Fantasy-1-Japan-CD-VAUR-8_p_29169.html
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/missninavidal?v=info
- ^ a b http://ibis56.blogspot.com/2010/04/blaks-lair-family-present.html
9. http://www.music-chart.info/artist/20476/Nina-Vidal
External links
- Official Website
- Nina Vidal at AllMusic
- Official Facebook
- Official Myspace
Categories:- Living people
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