Career
He then went on to perform in on the Gold Coast then in Italy, Las Vegas and throughout England, then on a cruise ship between New York and the Bahamas. Later he proved very popular in South-east Asia. He returned to Australia in 1969, and in 1972 hosted an American Broadcasting Company Radio music show in which he introduced emerging talent Renee Geyer to a wider audience.
He featured in a band with Colonel Nolan called The Colonel Nolan Soul Syndicate, which released the Live at Jason"s LP. Following that he released a solo album, Touch of Blue (Phonogram, 1975).
Nicol has since released four more solo albums, two CDs and a Digital Video Disc. With Colonel Nolan he opened the Australian tours for such greats as Benny Goodman"s last tour and also the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). Johnny also performed on the American bases throughout Southeast Asia in the early-1970s.
Jazz legends Don Burrows and Bob Barnard both name Nicol as their favourite Australian jazz singer. Johnny Nicol is still performing along the eastern seaboard of Australia.
He is now based in the Cairns area.
Johnny Nicol is the father of Emily Nicol who played the role of baby Chloe in the Australian television production of A Country Practice.
