“Jazz Vocalist of the Year, U.S. and Canada.” - DownBeat Magazine
A Night in Las Vegas: 100 years of Sammy Davis Jr.
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sammy Davis Jr. August 16 and 17 mark two evenings of tribute to Sammy the icon and his incredible songbook, brought to us by Las Vegas headliner Nicholas Brooks. After 20 years headlining on the Vegas stage, and 20 years as an internationally touring Sammy Davis Jr. impersonator and tribute artist, Brooks brings Sammy’s songs, his life and his times to the Blue Strawberry stage.
The Beginnings
Nicholas Brooks was raised in the suburbs of Chicago (Batavia, IL) by amazing parents Victor and Connie Brooks. At the age of 8, Nicholas performed for the first time in church, where he sang "O Come All Ye Faithful." With nary a dry eye in the congregation, Nicholas described this experience as "the moment I knew that singing was going to be my life!" As Nicholas grew up, he began acting in theatre productions. At 12 he began singing professionally in a young blues/rock band, then with the R&B quintet "Finesse." During his Batavia High School years, he was a student council member, three-sport athlete, and background vocalist for Sesame Street Live. He began to make a name for himself as a standout vocalist in the Batavia High School Swing Show Choir, while winning several awards and state/local vocal competitions.
The Big Break
Nicholas's big break came in 1998. He was recruited to Northern Illinois University to be the singer for the NIU Jazz Ensemble Big Band - one of the top five jazz programs in the country. Under the direction of Ron Carter, Nicholas was able to travel with the band across the U.S. and Europe with Jazz legends Wynton Marsalis, Frank Wess and Benny Golson. During this time, Nicholas made several radio and television appearances singing the National Anthem at high-profile professional sports games (The Bears, Cubs, White Sox, and Bulls). In 2001, Nicholas was named Homecoming King by his school and in 2002, “U.S. and Canada Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by DownBeat Magazines, which propelled him into the national music scene. The Chicago Tribune dubbed Nicholas "one of the top rising young artists in the U.S." Upon his graduation, the City of Batavia (his hometown) awarded him with "Nicholas Brooks Day" on May 11, 2002.
Las Vegas Headliner
In 2003, Nicholas began headlining the Wayne Newton Theatre at the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. While his music was regularly featured on Las Vegas radio stations, he was becoming one of the youngest singers in Las Vegas history to have his name on a
Vegas-strip marquee. Since 2006, Brooks has been starring as Sammy Davis Jr in "The RatPack is Back", and "The RatPack " national and international touring show. He regularly tours through Australia, France, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Switzerland, Belgium, New Zealand, and The Bahamas. He has lent his voice to Kraft commercial jingles, and to casinos and resorts all over the nation, including Chicago and St. Louis.
Since his start in Las Vegas, Nicholas has become a dynamic force on stage, radio and television. In 2010, Nicholas made his CBS primetime television debut on the hit show "The Defenders" where he became a regular guest star. He has worked with some of his musical idols and many famed celebrities. He continues to live his dream as a singer and an actor.
You may also like the following events from Blue Strawberry STL:
- This Sunday, 13th July, 06:00 pm, Stryker’s Coming Back! in St. Louis
- Next Wednesday, 16th July, 09:30 pm, Kendrick Smith's Open Jam for Composers, Vocalist and Instrumentalist - Every Wednesday in St. Louis
- Next Thursday, 17th July, 07:30 pm, Jelani Remy - Star of Frozen at The Muny This Summer and Broadway's The Lion King, Ain't Too Proud in St. Louis
Also check out other
Music events in St. Louis,
Entertainment events in St. Louis,
Arts events in St. Louis.
