NICA CARRINGTON productions
Beyond the Music
Every artist is expected to have a bio that highlights their musical training, accomplishments, and influences. My bio is going to be a bit different. Yes, I’ll share facts about my musical background and influences, but I’d like to start by going beyond the information to the heart of why I sing.
If you prefer, you can move through the sections using the links below:
The Significance of the Mustard Seed
For me, this journey starts with a mustard seed. The mustard seed represents who I am and what I believe. Jesus told His disciples “if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). Getting to this chapter in my life in which I would have ONE, let alone, TWO independently-produced albums was something that seemed absolutely and unequivocally impossible to me. Although I loved to sing, I was afraid to sing. However, music was always present in me, and every now and then, it would burst forth from my throat, refusing to be contained even if I was only singing to the walls in my apartment. After these private jam sessions, I’d bottle my voice back up again, but the pressure would keep building. I felt a great pressure to sing for many years, but ignored it and minimized it under the paralyzing influence of comparison. Because I didn’t sound like so and so or this one or that one, I silenced myself. Every now and then, I freed my voice a bit by joining choirs where I could sing in secret, seeking to blend and hide my voice amongst the second sopranos or first altos.
Then Came COVID
COVID was a wakeup call that really shook me and brought me back to my faith in God in a far deeper way than I had believed before. Prior to COVID, I regarded God as a “first responder.” I essentially had an “in-case-of-emergency-break-glass” approach as far as my faith in God. With the COVID lockdown, I sometimes felt like someone trapped in a fire. Smoke was choking my joy and blocking the light, but then I heard the voice of THE First Responder, God the Father, cutting through the roar of the flames of fear, and shining a light on the way of escape, and I listened. It was from learning to listen to what God was saying that I joined Jazz Voice (https://www.jazzvoice.com/), an online vocal jazz community founded by Alexis Cole during the COVID lockdown to help jazz singers at all skill levels to connect during a time of isolation. Prior to joining Jazz Voice, I had been looking for a vocal jazz coach who offered private lessons online. Despite living in New York City, anytime I tried to connect with a New York based vocal coach and pianist, it never worked out. I believed, however, that it would be different with Jazz Voice.
Meeting John Proulx
There was a buffet of jazz pros offering private lessons on Jazz Voice, and it was a bit overwhelming. I couldn’t decide. So, I prayed, and started reading through the bios one at time in the order they appeared on the website. And then, I got to John Proulx (https://www.johnproulx.com/), and as I started reading his bio, I knew he was the vocal coach for me. Did I have any idea that we would go on to record together? How could I? I was just hoping John could take me further in my singing journey and teach me the language of jazz in a way that I could understand and apply. I had my first lesson with John on August 17, 2020, and about a year later, on August 13-14, 2021, we were in Big City Recording Studios (https://www.bigcityrecording.com/) in Granada Hills, CA recording my first album, “Times Like These.” I know beyond a shadow of any doubt that my connecting with John was not coincidence or luck. It would have been far more coincidental and lucky to have connected with a vocal coach from New York and to record in New York City, especially during the height of COVID. The fact that this happened in such an extraordinary way could only be because of God. I have no doubts about this at all. In my own strength, there’s no way, a fearful, sometime-singer from New York City could meet and record with a music pro like John, who lives more 2,700 miles away near Los Angeles. How is that ever happening? It’s not without God’s intervention.
My Alter-Ego
I recorded my first album, “Times Like These” under the pseudonym, “Nica Carrington.” “Nica” is short for Veronica. Carrington is my mother’s maiden name. If I’m completely honest, however, I also used a pseudonym because, although I knew it was time to step out in song, I wasn’t interested in being known. So, yes, I hid. My publicist, Holly Cooper of Mouthpiece Music (http://mouthpiecemusic.com/) wasn’t thrilled about this of course. Not only did I not want to use my real name, but I also wanted to obscure my face on the CD cover! She was patient with me, however, and has continued to gently but firmly guide me through these publicity processes and tasks I must do in spite of myself.
Embracing Veronica Thomas
After much encouragement and prayer, I released my second album, “They Say It’s Wonderful,” under my real name, Veronica Thomas. Doing this essentially announced that I’m embracing this journey and that I’m singing and stepping out in faith, praying that my life will be well sung and a living testament to what is possible with mustard seed of faith.
My Better Half
I thank God for my husband, Calvin Thomas, who has endured many years of hearing my vocal exercises in the bathroom, voice lessons in our closet, as well as helping me manage all the tasks that I often procrastinate about doing such as posting (sporadically) on social media and keeping my website updated. He is my rock, and I couldn’t do this without him. It’s such a blessing to have his support behind every note I sing.
Partners in Song
Through John, I have been able to record with phenomenal musicians all of whom have spent their lives dedicated to their craft. Each album is a collective endeavor and each musician was meant to be a part of my musical journey. John Proulx via Grand Rapids, MI; Chicago, IL; and Los Angeles. Bob Sheppard via Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles. Mike Gurrola, via La Crescenta, CA Kevin van den Elzen via Amsterdam and Los Angeles. Chuck Berghofer via Denver, CO and Arcadia, Los Angeles. Joe LaBarbera via Mount Morris, NY and Los Angeles. What I find so beautiful about our collaborations, is that in addition to representing diverse backgrounds, we also represent different generations, from early 30’s to over 87. Therefore, each of us brings different flavors to our musical interpretations. Of course, as producer, arranger, and pianist, John is the musical genius behind reimagining these treasured standards. He honors the originals, but also breathes new life into them with contemporary arrangements that make you hear them with fresh ears. That both albums were each recorded in two days is because of John’s artistry, impeccable organization, and leadership as well as Paul Tavenner’s recording, mixing, and mastering expertise. Again, how exactly am I finding someone like John who plays, sings, teaches, arranges, composes, AND produces, not to mention, knows how to deal with a novice singer? “Times Like These” Recorded: August 13-14, 2021 Released: September 23, 2022 John Proulx, Piano, Producer, Arranger Chuck Berghofer, Bass Joe LaBarbera, Drums “They Say It’s Wonderful” Recorded: August 18-19, 2023 Released: July 12, 2024 John Proulx, Piano, Producer, Arranger Bob Sheppard, Sax & Flute Mike Gurrola, Bass Kevin van den Elzen, Drums
Musical Roots & Influences
I'm a native New Yorker who grew up in a household in which jazz was always in the background and jam sessions could break out at any moment. My Dad was a jazz enthusiast who played the drums, sax, flute, and dabbled at the piano, trumpet and guitar. I studied trumpet and piano from about 8 years old until the wise old age of 16, when I decided to quit. This was largely to protest all the hours my Dad would insist we practice. This is one of the many foolish decisions I regret making. Nevertheless, the sound of jazz was in my bones. As a child, I gravitated to ballads and torch songs. If I had to narrow down the list of singers who had an influence on me the list would include in alphabetical order: Betty Carter Ella Fitzgerald Lani Hall Johnny Hartman Shirley Horn Jon Lucien Carmen McRae Anita O’Day Frank Sinatra Barbara Streisand Mel Tormé Sarah Vaughn Nancy Wilson There are many others, but this bio is already very long! Suffice it to say that I've dabbled at singing throughout my life, picking it up then putting it down to"do life." I was largely non-committal to my vocal craft, but it never lost its hold over me.
By Faith
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). I don’t know where this musical journey will take me. I don’t know what challenges and opportunities lie ahead, but I walk and sing by faith. I will embrace wherever God leads, holding onto my mustard seed of faith with both hands. “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).