Nalani returns to her roots in Niwot

The last concert of the Rock & Rails 2022 season opened with the amazing blues sound of Nalani playing the upright bass. Her throaty vocals, accompanied by her bass, made folks want to get up and dance. Nalani's giant smile and big voice kept the crowd's enthusiastic attention as rain threatened to dampen the event.

Nalani, also known as Nalani DeMarco Clisset, grew up on Third Avenue in Niwot, and is a graduate of Niwot High School. Her mother, Satir DeMarco, books all of the music for Rock & Rails, as well as other venues.

Nalani is a professional musician in Nashville, Tenn., often referred to as "Music City," where she teaches private individual and group lessons and performs with several groups as well as a solo artist. But every year she returns to her hometown to perform at Rock & Rails, as well as other community events, such as First Friday Art Walks.

In opening the final concert of the season, she sang the popular song "I Feel Good," an original by James Brown, with such a blues flare that it just about knocked the socks off everyone there.

Nalani has several mentors but one in particular was there with her for a song on Thursday evening. She was joined on stage by headliner Hazel Miller and together they sang the popular song "Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On," a staple of jazz and blues clubs. It was a great sound that carried throughout Whistle Stop Park. Nalani returned the favor, joining Hazel Miller onstage for the last of her closing set.

Nalani noted that growing up around amazing music people such as Hazel Millerhas has helped her music career blossom. She has a powerful stage presence with an internal energy all her own. If you ask her, she will let you know that her favorite genre is the old school blues that makes people want to dance. She embodies the energy of rock & roll, but with jazz roots for a special funk sound.