Zoë Gilby is a UK jazz vocalist and songwriter that has been making a real impression on the jazz scene today. A constantly expanding repertoire that starts with her compelling original compositions written with double bassist husband Andy Champion and performed by her highly accomplished band, which features guitarist Mark Williams and drummer Richard Brown. Her stockpile of music also reaches a wide range of more contemporary material from composers such as Pink Floyd through to Kate Bush. Also included in her varied programme are some superb interpretations of “The Great American Songbook”. Her influences are many and include Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sheila Jordan and Roberta Gambarini. For her original pieces Zoë finds much of her creative inspiration from songwriters as diverse as Bob Dylan to David Frishberg. Zoe is well deserving of the respect that she has been receiving from many leading jazz instrumentalists and publications. She has received touring support from Jazz Services and has performed with some of the UK top jazz musicians, including Louis Stewart, Jim Mullen Organ Trio, Dave Newton, Alan Barnes and Tony Faulkner. Touring the UK and Europe with her exceptional quartet, she has performed at prominent jazz festivals and venues (see Gig Dates). Zoë’s interest in singing and jazz took shape at an early age. Zoë’s father, Mike Gilby worked professionally as a jazz trumpet player and arranger for over 40 years. She studied music for two years at Newcastle College and later developed her sound at Fionna Duncan’s Vocal Jazz Workshop in Glasgow. In Jan 2007, Zoë recorded her debut album ‘Now That I am Real‘ with arrangements by the renowned drummer Tony Faulkner. This album has received radio play from Courtney Pine’s Jazz Crusade on BBC Radio 2, Spain, UK, Australia, U.S.A, Belgium, and France and from BBC Radio Ulster in Northern Ireland. Zoë has teamed up with her husband, the innovative and powerful double bassist Andy Champion for a voice and double bass duo. Inspired by the legendary Sheila Jordan, this exciting project has been taking audiences by storm throughout the UK and Europe and highlights her ingenuity in interpreting a lyric. ZOE GILBY
There are many different opinions as to what the future of blues harmonica will be. Memphis based Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the next decade unfolds. His name is worthy of conversations that involve Jason Ricci, Billy Gibson, Dennis Gruenling, Rick Estrin and other frontline harmonica players that have become part of a new wave in the blues world. With tasteful speed and licks, he combines his respect to traditional blues with a present colorful style of playing. Raised in North Carolina, Brandon relocated to Memphis in 2003 where he began to absorb the sounds and culture of the Delta, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, & B.B. King. He fronted the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway for six years and has since embarked on a successful solo career touring throughout the world! BRANDON SANTINI
Mwalim DaPhunkeeProfessor is a soul-funk-jazz singer, composer, musician and producer. He is available to do soul-funk-jazz (acid jazz) and soulful house remixes of other artists work. He is the winner of the Best Male Jazz Vocalist category in the 2010 and 2011 New England Urban Music Awards as well as a multi-award nominee in the 2010 Native American Music Awards. He is a recording artist and staff producer with Liberation Music-MGM. Awakened By A Noon Day Sun” (LMMGM – 116) is the latest album from NDN Jazz-Funk Man, Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor. A Mashpee Wampanoag, this album is a funky NDN (Native American) exploration of the composer as melodic storyteller. As the 2010 and 2012 NEUMA winner for ‘Best Male Jazz’ artist, Mwalim remains one of the more sought after live and session keyboard players and producers in the contemporary jazz, soul and funk arenas; look out for upcoming collaborations between Mwalim and A-List of R&B, Hip-hop, jazz and spoken-word artists. This album marks Mwalim’s debut on the Spirit Wind Records label. MWALIM DAPHUNKEE PROFESSOR
Daniel “Weenie” Farrow, born in New Orleans in 1932, played Blues and Jazz on the local scene since 1950. Highly in demand ever since throughout the United States and Europe, he has also appeared with R&B singers Shirley & Lee in the late 50s, and now at Preservation Hall. One of his trademarks is his beautiful, emotional and individual tone. Norbert Susemihl, born in 1956 in Germany, played and studied New Orleans Music since the 70s, and has been living and performing part-time in the Crescent City and Europe since 1978. He covers a wide range of New Orleans styles. Susemihl and Farrow played regularly on the Mississippi riverboats through the 80s. This is their first recording together. Seva Vernet has been active on the New Orleans music scene since 1999, playing, composing and teaching music, and also performing and touring abroad. He is a regular with Lionel Ferbos, the Treme Brass Band, his own Storyville Stringband and other bands in the city. His rhythmic approach bears a strong resemblance to the legendary Danny Barker. Kerry Lewis, born in New Orleans in 1973, is one of the leading bass players in the city today, both in traditional jazz and other fields. This is reflected in the multitude of CDs he has contributed to. He cofounded a record company and leads his own band, Abstract. His tone is very strong and natural, swinging and rich in rhythmic variations.
Jayna began singing jazz at the George Washington University in 1998. After receiving her BA in music with a concentration in classical voice in 2003, she returned to her hometown of New Orleans. As a swing and Charleston dancer and instructor, Jayna would frequent the jazz clubs dancing to every jazz band in the city, and would often sing a song or two. In early 2005, Jayna and former dance partner Michael Norris formed NOLA Swing, an organization that promoted the teaching and love of swing dancing in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, Michael moved away; however, Jayna stayed and has been blessed to work under the artistic direction of international instructor and world champion Nathalie Gomes. In addition, Jayna and her friend Ellen Boyer formed the professional Charleston dance troupe, The Frenchmen Street Flappers, and can be seen performing around town. In recent years, Jayna studied jazz performance under the direction of famed New Orleans jazz musicians, and has branched out to perform at various jazz clubs around New Orleans and the US. She appreciates the generosity the music community has shown her and the support from her friends and family. Jayna owes everything to her mother, Carol Morgan, who passed away in April 2009, for encouraging her to fulfill her dreams and to pursue happiness. She thanks her husband, Chad Decuers, for all of his support and encouragement! JAYNA MORGAN & THE SAZERAC SUNRISE JAZZ BAND
Abby can seemingly sing any note & has mastery over every genre. Skye is a masterful songwriter, multi instrumentalist, accomplished sound engineer & producer.Solely producing her first EP she wrote, sang, played & recorded the tunes, in a studio she built herself. At 5yrs old Skye was bringing the house down at Parent Teacher Associ Xmas bash! From then on she was going to be a musician. She joined grade4 choir & learnt flute, guitar, piano & classical & contemporary voice as well as studying poetry. Took up lead voice; conductor of the school Concert Band & Madrigal Choir. She studied music passing every exam with high distinctions. As a member of the Australian Girls Choir she had performed with Symphony Orchestras at Melbourne Concert Hall many times – all by age 12! By 14 She’d formed a duo called ‘Hacking Daisies’ winning competitions & playing many festivals & live shows. By 15 she had started ‘solo’ shows, including performing for the President of Hungary! No wonder the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts beckoned & she easily gained acceptance, studying with highly respected Brian Hasford, Head of Opera. Her heart lay with performing originals & she went full time at 17.She learnt every aspect of production, engineering & recorded her EP ‘Addicted’. Artists such as Renee Geyer, James Reyne & Mental as Anything booked her as support Act. Now a well established & respected artist in QLD Destined for Bigger Thiings! ABBY SKYE
Gregg Martinez—whose blend of blues, R&B and swamp pop music he describes as “bayou blues and Creole soul”—was born and raised and still lives in the Cajun country of south Louisiana—where he began singing in church at the age of eight. Ten years later, he was singing professionally. His powerhouse voice, which has been compared to Sam Cooke and Luther Vandross, took him from the bars and nightclubs of the bayou country to some of the finest resorts, casinos and clubs throughout the nation. He had an exclusive performing contract with Donald and Ivana Trump and a seven figure recording contract. By 1986, Gregg was on the brink of stardom in the music industry, yet like many great artists, somehow slipped through the cracks of the star maker machinery. The late Ed Bradley of TV’s 60 Minutes—upon seeing him perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2005—called Gregg Martinez one of America’s greatest hidden treasures. His talent is the stuff of legend and even after more than thirty years, Gregg is better than ever. He has performed throughout the U.S. and has toured South Africa, England, Wales, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Gregg has released ten recordings, Wonders Never Cease- 1991, Love Has A Voice- 1993, They That Wait- 1997, For The Ages- 1999, All The Days- 2001, Christmas- 2002, Bring Down The Thunder- 2004, Big Bad Daddy- 2006, South Of The Parish Line- 2011, and the brand new Creole Soul-2013, his first on Louisiana Red Hot Records. His music is played on radio stations in the U.S. and abroad. Gregg has shared the stage with many notable artists including Stevie Wonder, Foreigner, BTO, Dobie Gray, Shirley Caesar, Percy Sledge, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Patti Labelle, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. He is also the former lead singer of the Boogie Kings, for which, as a member of that legendary group, he was selected into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010. He wrote and recorded the title song for their final album, Never Go Away- 2007. Gregg and his band, the Delta Kings, are available to perform at selected venues and festivals. GREGG MARTINEZ
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Saxophone player with a degree in classical music, specialized in the United States on Berklee College of Music (Boston). In his career he has had many successes in different areas of music. From classical music, popular music, jazz, soul, funk, playing in various ensembles from small groups to orchestras, from club music (even playing on the street) to concert and sport halls, in fifteen years of his career, Igor Gerzina has worked with almost all important people on the Croatian music scene. Some of them are known outside Croatia such as: jazz vibraphonist Bosko Petrovic, jazz composer Miljenko Prohaska, guitarist Elvis Stanic, arranger Silvije Glojnaric. He has had more than 70 discography releases, around thirty music videos, the whole line of television shows and programs, appearances as a guest player in radio shows. He has won many awards, among which are two Porin awards, three Status awards, Crni macak award and many nominations. He has also got several awards on State competitions. IGOR GERZINA
Padam Swing is a highly unique New York gypsy jazz band which delivers a mix of classic American 30′s and 40′s jazz standards, Bossa Nova and French Songs. With a line-up of virtuoso musicians this ensemble features captivating violin and harmonica melodies, dazzling guitar stylings, and the sultry sounds of upright bass.Formed in 2013 Padam Swing is a unique Brooklyn-based “french gypsy jazz” band leaded by top-notch harmonica player Yvonnick Prene about to take the New York music scene by storm! Their incredibly thrilling music showcases virtuosic technique, electrifying improvisation, rapid tempos, daring key changes and eclectic musical literacy. Padam Swing melds the spirit of traditional gypsy jazz and french songs with modern grooves, improvisation and east coast attitude. Inspired by the music of Parisian genius Django Reinhardt during the 30′s and 40’s, they continue the heritage while also showcasing original tunes written by their members. YVONNICK PRENE & PADAM SWING
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