Nicole Kestler, a recent transplant from Chicago, a city renowned for its music history, was a preeminent jazz singer. Her career began with various bands in Chicagoland, instilling in her a deep respect for music. She infuses a fresh vitality into the compositions of legendary 30s and 40s songwriters like Gershwin, Mercer, Porter, Berlin, and Hoagy Carmichael, ensuring their music sounds as fresh as the day it was written.

Originally from Detroit, Nicole discovered her passion for singing at Columbia College in Chicago. The swing craze of the late 90s led her to join renowned bands like Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra, the Riff Rockets, The Starfall Orchestra, Big Band Boom, Jesse Scinto and the Dignitaries, Professor John and his band, and her own quartet.

For the past two decades, Nicole has been a member of Chicago’s premier jump blues band, the Rhythm Rockets. They pay homage to iconic rhythm and blues female artists like Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown, and Ella Mae Morris, performing over 50 gigs annually. On special occasions, she continues to travel to Chicago to perform with them.

In July 2024, Nicole relocated to Asheville and discovered a vibrant jazz scene. She participates in jam sessions to connect with musicians and immerse herself in the local music community. She has also performed in venues like the North Carolina Arboretum, the Leaf Global Arts, the Southern Appalachian Brewery, and the Cedar Mountain Canteen, where she has discovered that her new home town appreciates great music just as much as Chicago, if not more.