photo of Nick performing at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards by Carol Ray

On Friday, April 27, Nick was honored by the 3rd Annual Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards as International Instrumental Artist of the Year. Nick attended the awards ceremony, held at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and performed his smash hit "Always Thinking of You" with Alexander Zonjic (who also hosted the event) and his band, and then presented the Canadian String Instrumental Artist of the Year Award.

Nominated along with Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson (who also performed live at the show), Gerald Albright and Wayman Tisdale, Nick was delighted to be named the winner and acknowledged his fellow nominees in his acceptance speech. Other winners included Al Jarreau in the International Vocalist of the Year category, and Warren Hill in the Canadian Wind Instrumentalist category.

The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards are the brainchild of Mary Kirk, Music Director of the WAVE 94.7 Hamilton, Ontario and John Beaudin, publisher of SmoothJazzNow.com. The ceremony will be broadcast on cable television throughout the year by Rogers Television, who taped the entire proceedings.

Nick has received lots of congratulatory emails and phone calls, but wants to single out one special message - that from The Caravan, the dedicated fans of Peter White (who phoned Nick personally with his congrats), headed up by the marvelous Joan Lynch. Joan, who is featuring an interview with Nick (the first ever guest artist interview, quite an honor!) in her next fan club magazine, sent out a news bulletin to her Caravaners and to Nick saying in part ..."Caravan friend and one of our favorite other guitarists, Nick Colionne, won the award for International Instrumental Artist of the Year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards a couple of nights ago! Congratulations Nick from The Caravan and all of its members, world wide! Well deserved!". What can Nick say but thank you so much to such a gracious and generous bunch of folks.

Nick had a great time in April. He kicked off the month playing the fantastic Seabreeze Jazz Festival for the first time. Nick and the band loved the enthusiastic audience and tremendous hospitality of The Seabreeze, WSBZ 106.3 fm.

Next, Nick and his band and pal Brian Culbertson and his band blew the roof off theBaltimore's Lyric Opera House and the very large audience loved every minute of the evening - so did Nick and Brian! FKM Entertainment outdid themselves on hospitality, even having not one but two award-winning chefs providing meals to the bands right at the Opera House.

What can we say about the 15th Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival except WOW! The weather was perfect, the setting sublime and the crowd was ready to party. At one point in Nick's show the audience began waving white handkerchiefs, tissues, towels and whatever they had in the air in a spontaneous display of enjoyment.

Then off to Phoenix for two nights of private engagements for the National Forum for Black Public Adminstrators, 2000 hard-working professionals who knew how to enjoy their evenings!!!

Nick ended the month at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards...what a great finale to a terrific April!

photo of Nick and his keyboard player and writing partner, John Blasucci, in Baltimore by Lisa Taylor

Check Nick's website often, as new spring, summer and fall 2007 dates are continually being added to Nick's tour.

This is how the band saw Nick and the crowd at the Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival, courtesy Cary Gillaspie, www.scenicjazz.com.

May has really great dates coming up, don't miss them!!!!

* May 12 - Elkhart Lake, WI. The Osthoff Resorts presents: "Jazz On the Vine" The spectacular Osthoff Resort once again hosts their amazing jazz series, and Nick will be performing on Saturday evening, May 12. Line-up includes Peter White, Marion Meadows, Ray Parker Jr., Eric Darius, Gregg Karukas and more. Visit www.osthoff.com for the latest information.

* May 24 - Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC Nick will be performing at this beautiful theater with the equally beautiful saxtress, Pamela Williams, who will open the show. For info visit www.carolinatheatre.org.

* June 3 - 15th Annual Capital Jazz Fest, Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia, MD. For info visit www.capitaljazz.com.

* June 8 - Private date

* June 9 - Atlanta. WJZZ Smooth Jazz 107.5 Presents... Nick Colionne and Warren Hill at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. . Tickets: Ticketmaster.com. Visit WJZZ's website at www.1075wjzz.com

* June 14 - Chicago. Family Focus 25th Anniversary Celebration and Fund Raiser For information call 773-722-5057.

* June 24 - Big Bear, CA. Jazz Trax Big Bear Jazz Festival Tickets: www.jazztrax.com

* June 29 - Indianapolis, IN. The Music Mill 3720 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240 Info: 317-841-1850. 8:00pm showtime; Doors Open at 7:00pm. Tickets: $30.00, Available at the Music Mill box office with no service charge, all Ticketmaster outlets, or Charge-By-Phone in Indianapolis at 317-239-5151.

* July 7 - Private engagement

* August 11 - Wine And Jazz Series, California. Details coming soon.

* August 18 - Private Engagement

* August 19 - Jacksonville, FL. City of Jacksonville Beach Summer Jazz Series Seawalk Pavillion, 1st Street North & Beach Blvd,Jacksonville Beach FL. For info visit www.jacksonvillebeach.org

* August 25 - York, PA. Yorkfest Arts Festival Community Jazz Concert. 6 pm until 10 pm. Liberty Garden stage at Kiwanis Lake; Intersection of N. Newberry Street and Madison Avenue, York, PA. Opening Act: Dave Wilson Jazz Quartet. Free for the public to enjoy! For more information, please contact York City at 717-849-2217 or email events@yorkcity.org

* August 31 -TBA in June

* September 15 - TBA.

* October 6 - Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival. Catalina Island, California. Tickets: www.jazztrax.com.

* January 19-20, '08 - San Diego, CA. All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise 2 Day Land Festival.

* January 21-26, '08 - All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise Hosted by Brian Culbertson, featuring Nick Colionne, Jam Session Host, special guests Boney James & Warren Hill, along with Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, Gerald Veasley, Shilts, Pamela Williams, Norman Brown, Alan Hewitt, Althea Rene, Mike Manson, Chieli Minucci, Bobby Lyle and lots more! Info: see link below.