Dwight & Nicole

Member Since: 2008 | Location: Newark | Page Views: 2,019

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"Riveting!" -Boston Globe

Fans of Dwight Ritcher & Nicole Nelson may recall a time when they each fronted their own popular bands earlier in the decade. Forging their way up from pubs to theaters, they played music at a level which belied their years. Dwight Ritcher, a New Jersey native, moved to Boston and formed the Dwight Ritcher Band. The singer/songwriter & guitarist tapped his deep blues and funk roots to front a high energy, horn driven group, eventually recording two highly acclaimed, if not chart topping albums; “Drive Around Town” and “Radioman”. Often sharing the stage with such greats as Otis Rush, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Buddy Guy, Ritcher carved out his own musical niche and gained a loyal fan base. Rising up at the same time from a crowd of Boston area vocalists was Nicole Nelson. A standout soul singer from the start, described as “Magnificent” by Maya Angelou, and “A voice for the ages” by the Boston Phoenix; Nelson and her band churned out crowd crushing Etta James & Aretha covers during the first half of her career. Over time she developed her own unique sound as a songwriter. After a move back to her hometown, Brooklyn NY in 2004, Nelson teamed up with Ritcher. Blending their voices to create a very original music; the Dwight & Nicole duo was formed. The versatility of their current incarnation allows them the luxury of creative options. Some live shows reveal a stripped down duo, just Ritcher's guitar and Nelson's percussion supporting their rich vocals and carrying the crowd. Other shows find them fronting full big bands together, 1940's style. The latter is like stepping into a time warp- no strangers to jazz & swing, Dwight & Nicole recall Jimmy Rushing & Ella Fitzgerald. For fans of that musical era, this is a show to catch. A closer listen reveals inflections of Patsy Cline, BB King, Johnny Cash & Nina Simone. And of course, the real magic is in that non-definable extra something; the element of surprise which keeps the music fresh and very alive.