Singer Nicole Arz’s solo career officially began in 2012, when she stepped away from years of group performances, to become her own manager, booking agent, and artistic director. Since then, she has become one of Paraguay’s most recognisable voices in English-language soul, pop, and jazz.
Nicole was the first artist in Paraguay to pay tribute to Amy Winehouse – a turning point that helped her audience understand her musical identity. This gave her a strong base of loyal fans drawn to her unique voice and style. She is not only a skilled vocalist, but also an interpreter of stories and emotion, particularly within the retro-soul genre.
Where tribute met identity
Nicole’s musical identity did not appear overnight; it was shaped by bold, emotional performers such as Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, and Etta James. She began by singing covers of early-2000s pop and rock in English, gradually adding new genres as her confidence and curiosity grew. Over time, her sound crystallised around soul, retro pop, jazz, and elements of rock, a blend that now defines her.
The Paraguayan artist chose Amy Winehouse as the subject of her tribute out of deep admiration. “I have been a fan of hers for eighteen years,” she says.
Nicole sees a clear connection between her own style and Amy’s, both vocally and visually. From expressive delivery to a vintage aesthetic, the tribute was more than homage. It was a mirror. She approaches the late singer’s work with both reverence, and personal resonance, finding parallels in their vocal timbres and artistic expression.
What is a Nicole Arz show like?
In her tribute performances, Nicole selects Winehouse’s most iconic songs, those audiences immediately recognise and feel moved by. Her goal is to recreate the energy of Amy’s music as faithfully as possible, allowing the emotional weight of the songs to lead the performance rather than reinventing them.
One of the main artistic challenges lies in replicating the variations Amy introduced in her live shows. “She changed her delivery constantly; no two performances were the same,” Nicole explains. Capturing that spontaneity requires both technical control and emotional intuition, qualities Nicole continues to refine through each performance.
Nicole’s stage presence often blends vintage aesthetics with emotion-led delivery. Costumes, make-up, and lighting are all carefully selected to reflect the message behind each piece. And above all, there is one feature you will never see her without: her cat-eye glasses, now part of her unmistakable trademark.
When doubt nearly took the stage
Nicole’s journey was not without uncertainty. In 2005, after a difficult experience on a high-profile television show, she nearly gave up. “The nerves overwhelmed me. I truly believed music was not for me,” she recalls. Yet she refused to quit, choosing instead to fight for her place on stage.
That turning point defined her resilience. What followed were years of self-discipline, learning, and growth, both as a performer and as a person.
Since that experience, she has worked to overcome self-doubt and vocal limitations. Her growth as an artist has been both technical and deeply personal. “Now I sing with soul and intention, and I know how to connect with people through every note.”
Nicole no longer performs with fear. Instead, she channels her experiences into emotionally rich performances that speak directly to her audience.
A flexible team, a singular vision
Her backing musicians are a rotating group of trusted session players, including Apo Vázquez, Morris Morales, and Matías Cipolla. This flexible format allows Nicole to adapt to different stages and arrangements while maintaining full creative control.
It also reflects her collaborative spirit. While she leads the creative vision, she values the contributions of her bandmates in shaping each performance.
Lessons from the journey
Some memories are more amusing in hindsight. “At my first solo show, I sang with a terrible cold. My nose was blocked the whole time. The same happened during my first television appearance,” she laughs. “It felt awful then, but now I see it as part of the story.”
These moments, awkward as they seemed, became milestones in her artistic evolution, reminders that imperfections do not stop the music. Looking back, she would tell her younger self: “Do not give up. Keep going. It will all happen. Discipline and perseverance matter more than talent.”
The performer understands now that her progress was not only about finding her voice, but about learning to trust it. Every performance reflects those hard-earned lessons.
Looking ahead
In 2025, Nicole plans to celebrate two decades of her music career by releasing original songs she wrote twenty years ago. It is a full-circle moment that honours both her past and her present.
With these upcoming tracks, she continues to deepen her musical identity, offering audiences not merely a performance, but a personal narrative set to melody.
Nicole Arz is now stepping firmly into her own light, singing her truth, refining her sound, and proving that strength can emerge from even the most uncertain moments.
Her evolution into a confident solo artist speaks to the quiet power of persistence. In every note she sings, she demonstrates how meaningful artistry can arise from years of reflection, resilience, and a deep connection to one’s truth.
Nicole Arz’s tribute to Amy Winehouse reflects a growing appreciation for live reinterpretations of iconic artists in Paraguay’s cultural scene. This trend was recently highlighted by the success of Gas Panic, an Oasis tribute band that captivated crowds at JazzCube in Villa Morra. Together, these events signal a vibrant, evolving music landscape in Asunción, where tribute becomes a form of artistic expression in its own right.
For updates on upcoming performances check Nicole Arz on Instagram.
