SAN DIEGO – Friends of the woman killed by a falling tree in Pacific Beach said she was a “crazy talented teacher, who was fun, patient and gave the gift of music.”
Professional musician Nicki Carano was driving to a performance Sunday around 3 p.m. when a massive tree fell across on Ingraham Street crushing her car, friends said Monday.
A memorial of sorts was forming Monday afternoon for the well-known local musician. Flowers and photos were in the place where a giant palm once stood.
Kevin Charles Patterson has been friends and colleagues with Carano for the last 22 years.
“Just yesterday, it was yesterday that I was thinking I need to see Nicki… and to find out about this news is just so overwhelming,” he said. “It’s a little difficult right now.”
The musical producer said Carano was a talented performer and a selfless human being. The two went on several musical world tours together.
“To find someone that can sing, dance, act and is a professional musician is incredible,” he said.
On her Facebook page, several former band mates and friends of Carano posted and reached out to FOX 5 talking about their friend’s talent.
“Nicki was so present and so fun and of course, so damn talented. A triple threat: she could sing, dance, and play drums!”
“Nicki touched so many lives in our music community. She was an indefatigable SUPERNOVA of talent and humor.”
And though it was an act of nature that took her life, Patterson and those who knew Carano said she was a force of nature herself.
“Hopefully she’s watching over us. I think that she’ll be dancing and laughing in heaven or wherever.”
Carano also taught music at the Nightingale Music School for nine years.
