Nicky began her professional career at fourteen, singing in clubs and restaurants throughout Sydney. At sixteen, she went on to become lead singer with the band "Galapagos Duck", with whom she recorded the platinum-selling album, “Endangered Species”, as well as performing regularly at The Basement and touring extensively throughout Australia.
At seventeen, she made her film debut in the movie "Rebel", and featured on the soundtrack of the same name. She was a regular on the Mike Walsh and the Ray Martin “Midday Show”, as well as appearing on "Hey Hey it's Saturday", "The Sunday Program", and "The Kerri-Anne Kennerly Show". 

She has performed with most of the great Australian jazz musicians, as well as being the support artist for many overseas acts, such as Tony Bennett and Mark Murphy. Nicky has appeared at all the major venues (which have come and gone throughout the years) and made numerous festival appearances.

	In 2004, Nicky was diagnosed with breast cancer, and has since been an advocate for young women with cancer. She was the subject of two 12-part documentaries on the Lifestyle Channel in 2004 and 2005 dealing with this issue.

Nicky has also been in demand as a teacher, and was convener and lecturer at Macquarie University (2000 – 2004), Sydney Conservatorium Access Centre (1999- 2005) and a number of secondary schools. 

Nicky has appeared on and made a number of CDs, including; “Daydream”, with the Matt McMahon Trio and most recently, “The Paul McNamara Trio”.

Nicky has well over 1,000 songs in her repertoire and a 4+octave range. "I fell in love with jazz because the interpretation of a piece is never the same," she says. "Improvisation inspires a constantly evolving musical conversation between the musicians – creating a truly collaborative effort”.

“The most original singer I’ve heard, unforgettable, fantastic.”
                        Tony Bennett

“Songs take on a new dimension under the stimulus of her depth of feeling.”
                         Sydney Morning Herald

“Velvet smooth style has taken her to acclaim with audiences and critics alike.”
                           Brisbane Courier Mail

“A true jazz singer who sees her voice as an integral part of the instrumental group….. Crayson has the ability to modulate and manipulate her voice much like a horn player….. She sinks her musical teeth into each song.”
                           Dave Nathan, All Music Guide, Los Angeles.

“Crayson’s vocal flights full of daring, beauty, imagination, sensuality and conviction…extraordinary singing.”
                             John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald

“There are singers who dare to dig deeper, who enter the thrilling, daunting world of improvisation with no reassuring horn to clutch. They embark on melodic flights with deep understanding and sound instincts and deliver lyrics with such conviction that it seems they are spontaneously inventing them. The late Betty Carter was such a singer. Nicky Crayson is another.”
                  John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald 


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