Nicholas Zamora, also known by his stage name Nikki Z, started music at a very young age. He focused mostly on classical and jazz during his school years before starting his own band in high school. Playing string bass got him through college at the University of Colorado Boulder, during which time he played for the Boulder Philharmonic as a work study. After college, he started performing on his own with his own groups, and that changed his repertoire towards pop music.

He cites Van Halen and U2 as among his many influences. Among his other groups are a tribute band to Carlos Santana called Zantana, a tribute band to Tom Petty called High Country Heartbreakers, and his own group called the Nikki Z Trio. In his solo shows, he usually picks songs that are family-friendly and can appeal to a wide audience, and he plays covers from a wide variety of styles, including rock, funk, soul, country, blues, reggae, jazz, and flamenco.

When it comes to performing with a group, he says there is a lot more energy that comes from everyone in the group. While he is grateful to his live solo shows, he loves being able to play with other people, bringing a new kind of energy to the songs he picks.

He loves the reactions that he gets from live audiences whenever he plays, trying to let them forget about their day-to-day problems and have fun at his shows. He hopes that people will remember who he is and want to come back to see him again at some point in the future.

If you want to see Nikki Z perform live at the Canyon Tavern, 32128 Highway 72 in Coal Creek Canyon, be sure to check him out on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 6 p.m.

Music Events

Canyon Tavern

Saturday, November 18 at 6 p.m. — Branden Sipes

Saturday, November 25 at 6 p.m. — Nikki Z

www.facebook.com/Coalcreekcanyontavern

32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon

303-642-3180

Diner Bar Ned

Tuesday at 8 p.m. — Damn Jam

Wednesday at 9 p.m. — Karaoke

Thursday at 8 p.m. — Drag Show and Metal Night

Friday at 8 p.m. — Live DJ

Saturday at 8 p.m. — Live Music

Sunday at 8 p.m. — Open Mic

121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland

Gold Dirt Distillery

Wednesday, November 29 at 7 p.m. — Open Mic

www.facebook.com/GoldDirtDistillery

41 Main Street, Rollinsville

Gold Hill Inn

Friday, November 17 at 8 p.m. — Thom LaFond Band

Saturday, November 18 at 7 p.m. — Johnsmith with Dan Sebranek

Sunday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. — Jeffrey Foucault

Friday, November 24 at 8 p.m. — Orchard Creek Band

Saturday, November 25 at 7 p.m. — Strangebyrds

Sunday, November 26 at 7 p.m. — Aaron McCloskey and Alex Johnstone

www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/goldhillinn.com

401 Main Street, Gold Hill

303-443-6461

Gold Hill General Store

https://www.goldhillstore.com/

531 Main Street, Gold Hill

303-443-7724

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday November 18 at 5 p.m. — Strangebyrds

Saturday November 25 at 5 p.m. — NoGo Gilbillies

www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

51 A Main Street, Rollinsville

309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Live Music every Thursday and Friday eve.

Open Mic first and third Wednesdays of every month

Thursday, November 30 at 7 p.m. - Ashlei Kendall Priest

Friday, December 1 at 7 p.m. - Patrick Dethlefs

www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

jamestownmercantile.com/

108 Main Street, Jamestown

303-442-5847

JKQ BBQ

Friday, November 17 at 6 p.m. — Robby Wicks

Saturday, November 18 at 5 p.m. — Robby Wicks

Friday, November 24 at 6 p.m. — Jimmy Lewis

Saturday, November 25 at 5 p.m. — Jimmy Lewis

https://www.facebook.com/JkqBbq/

200 Gregory Street, Black Hawk

720-316-1361

Kathmandu

https://www.facebook.com/KathmanduRestaurant/ 

https://kathmandurestaurant.us/nederland/

110 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland

303-258-1169

Knotted Root Brewing

Sundays at 5 p.m. — Jazz Sundays

https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland

720-248-7129

Millsite Inn

Most Sundays at 4 p.m. — Open Jam

https://www.facebook.com/millsiteinn.moyer

https://millsiteinn.wixsite.com/millsiteinn

44365 Highway 72, Ward

720-547-9438

Very Nice Brewing Co.

Thursday, November 16 at 6 p.m. — The Gael

Saturday, November 18 at 5 p.m. — Windy Pines

Friday, November 24 at 6 p.m. — Mad Dog Blues

Saturday, November 25 at 5 p.m. — Stone-Hall

www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

www.verynicebrewing.com/

20 E. Lakeview Drive, # 112, Nederland

303-258-3770

Did we miss you? Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.