Nina Vidal

Nina Vidal
Background information
Genres Contemporary Vocalist, Contemporary Jazz, Soul, Pop, World
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, Pianist, Arranger
Years active 2004–present
Labels Village Again, VAA Urban, Sweet Mimosa, CCG Recordings,
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, Vidal 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 Japanese 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 September 2010, and also became the #1 Jazz album in Japan.

In July 2011 an album of cover songs entitled Love, Pop & Soul (The Cover Session Vol. 1) was released and hit the #1 spot as well.

In first week of September 2013, Vidal's self-titled debut Nina Vidal once again became the #1 Jazz Album in Japan. Simultaneously her album The Open Ended Fantasy became the #6 Jazz album in the country that same week giving her 2 albums in the Top Jazz Albums for the month of September. The Nina Vidal debut album also peaked at #25 for the Top 200 albums in the country.[2]

Nina Vidal's album Silver Lining was released in November 2013, and not only became the #1 Jazz album in Japan, but also broke Vidal's previous records with 8 of the 11 songs on the album included in the top 200 singles in the country.

On March 26, 2016 the album ‘’Best Of Nina Vidal” was released by Village Again in Japan and included one new original song called “It’s Time”. The album became Nina’s 7th consecutive release to reach #1 on the iTunes Jazz chart.

Music career

Nina Vidal was born in Queens, New York. While a student at New York University, she attended a monthly open-mic night. On one such occasion she met musician, producer and composer Caté. Vidal passed her demo on to him and after hearing it Caté agreed to produce some of her songs. These songs would later be put together in an EP, entitled Do It Again.[3]

Vidal was soon 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 Vidal’s first album toppled Norah Jones Come Away With Me as the number one Contemporary Jazz album in Japan – a spot Vidal would hold for eight months straight. It also became the number 1 most downloaded album on Japanese 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 Vidal’s album The Open-Ended Fantasy was released exclusively in Japan. It became the #1 Contemporary Jazz Album in that country in less than 24 hours. It had five songs on iTunes Japan Top Ten Jazz Singles simultaneously including the #1 Single "Cigarette & Wine" which was written by Vidal. The album was released in the U.S. the following year.

In 2010 Nina Vidal signed a Publishing deal with Universal Music Japan.

In July 2011 Vidal 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 Vidal's 3rd consecutive album to reach number 1 in Japan.

In August 2011 The Open Ended Fantasy was released in Korea with two songs from the album, the Paul McCartney written "My Love" and Vidal's original composition "Cigarette & Wine", charted on the Korean Soul chart reaching the #5 and the #8 spot respectively.

In first week of September 2013, Vidal's self-titled debut Nina Vidal once again became the #1 Jazz Album in Japan. Simultaneously her album The Open Ended Fantasy became the #6 Jazz album in the country that same week giving her 2 albums in the Top Jazz Albums for the month of September. The Nina Vidal debut album also peaked at #25 for the Top 200 albums in the country.

On September 11, 2013 Vidal released the single "Paint The Sky". The single reached #1 on iTunes Japan on November 14, 2013.

Nina Vidal's latest album Silver Lining was released in Japan on November 6, 2013, early due to overwhelming demand. The album is a blend of Jazz, World, Soul & Pop music and prominently features pedal steel guitar and harmonica. Nina wrote 9 out of the 11 songs on the album. The album was again produced by Caté. On October 23, 2013. In less than 12 hours it became the #1 Jazz Album in the country. 10 of the 11 songs from the album charted in the Top 100 Jazz Singles in a 4-day period.

On December 18, 2013 Village Again & CCG Recordings released the album Covers in Japan. It became the #1 Jazz Album in less than 3 hours giving Nina her 6th #1 album and her second #1 album in 2 months. [2]

On March 26, 2016 Village Again released the album ‘’Best Of Nina Vidal”. The album featured 1 new song called “It’s Time” written & Produced by Nina. It reached #1 album on iTunes Jazz Album chart in Japan in less than 5 hours making it Nina’s 7th consecutive #1 album in 8 years. [2]

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 top the Japanese Billboard charts, Nina owes a great deal of her success to Japan, Singapore, the Philippines and other Asian countries.

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, 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.[6]

Collaborations

On her albums, 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.[7]

Nina has collaborated with producer/composer Caté on most of her recorded work.

Discography

Albums:

Love, Pop & Soul (The Cover Sessions Vol. 1) - CCG Recordings (US) 2011, Village Again (Japan) 2011
The Open-Ended Fantasy - Sweet Mimosa Music (US) 2011, Village Again (Japan) 2010
Best Female Jazzy Tunes - Best Female Jazzy Tunes - Village Again 2010
Nina Vidal Live Session EP - iTunes Japan Exclusive - Village Again (Japan) 2008
Nina Vidal - Sweet Mimosa Music (US) 2007, Village Again (Japan) 2008

Singles:

"Cigarette & Wine" - Sweet Mimosa Music/CCreatives (US)2010 - Village Again (Japan) 2010
"Paint The Sky" - Village Again (Japan) 2013

Compilations:

Life - Moon Child - Kenichiro Nishihara - Unprivate (Japan) 2010[7]
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
Ram Cafe Vol.3 Lounge & Chillout - Driving - Magic Records (Poland) 2008
Addicted To House - Why- Single 7 - SoulStar (Germany) 2008

References

  1. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Cigarette & Wine - Single by Nina Vidal". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  2. 1 2 3 iTunes
  3. ↑ Greenberg, Adam (2007-11-07). "Nina Vidal - Nina Vidal". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  4. ↑ "Nina Vidal - Cigarette & Wine CD Single". Cduniverse.com. 2010-07-06. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  5. ↑ "Nina Vidal". CD Baby. 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  6. ↑ Nina VidalOver FacebookTijdlijnOver Facebook. "Nina Vidal". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  7. 1 2 JJ (2010-04-03). "JJ's Jazz & Such: Blak's Lair Family Present-Jazzinvasiatics". Ibis56.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-05-15.

9. http://www.music-chart.info/artist/20476/Nina-Vidal

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