Nina Luzzi grew up on the East Coast singing in her church choir and high school chamber choir. At the age of 18, inspired by the amazing soulful voices of women like Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald, Nina’s passion for
Nina Luzzi grew up on the East Coast singing in her church choir and high school chamber choir. At the age of 18, inspired by the amazing soulful voices of women like Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald, Nina’s passion for jazz led her to explore the cabaret scene in New York City.
There she performed her one-woman cabaret show “Fire and Ice” in Times Square’s historic night clubs. Nina also became an avid student of music and surrounded herself in jazz, country, rock, electronica and R&B.
She could be seen singing with DJs in East Village nightclubs, rocking out at late-night dive bars and crooning in smoky jazz clubs. She also studied dance and theater and took the off-Broadway stage in several productions.
After living the New York lifestyle, Nina was ready for something entirely different. Her heart and soul led her to Kaua‘i’s shores, where she took a long rest from New York’s fast pace, and she discovered her voice in a new way.
After retreating from the stage and resting in aloha, on her 24th birthday friends asked Nina to sing for them. She sang “O Mio Babbino Caro” which serendipitously led her to O‘ahu the very next day, where she performed a private birthday concert for La Princessa de Italia.
Re-inspired and thirsty for more music, Nina relocated to Northern California, where she became the singer for the Don Giovannis, singing classical and Italian music at vineyards, resorts and festivals. After two years in California and a brief but very deep journey through India, Nina returned to Kaua‘i.
Here, she met Adam Neeves, an inspired and talented guitarist who was looking for a star singer. Nina and Adam began playing Sundays at Common Ground and fate connected them with the rest of the band. Noah Friedberg, the stylish and smooth bass player had just returned from touring Japan. Jason Blank, the funky and soulful drummer from Austin, Texas, brought the finishing touches to “Nina and The Nectar.”
The band plays funk, soul, R&B and jazz — everything from Sade to Al Green, originals and Top 40. A favorite for the band is to improvise on the spot, creating music inspired by Jason’s funky rhythms and the crowd’s excitement and energy.
“When you see Nina and the Nectar, be ready to move your feet, shake your hips and let go, because their rhythm will shake you loose, and Nina’s angelic voice will melt into your soul.
Nina and The Nectar are currently working on original material. They can be seen at Trees Lounge in Kapa‘a on Feb. 10. The last gig at Trees, according to owner Candice, was a great night where the band and the audience totally meshed.
You can look them up, as well as book them for your next event, by visiting Nina Starsong on Facebook, or at www.ninastarsong.com/divineweddings. The band states: “We play music because we love it, and we are grateful to share our passion with you.”
