HONORED to Present
GIACOMO GATES
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GIACOMO GATES - VOCALS
Arlen Asher - Reeds Bert Dalton - Piano Colin Deuble - Bass John Trentacosta - Drums MARCH 10th - FRIDAY MUSEUM HILL CAFE Doors - 6:00pm / Concert - 7:00pm TIX: $25.00 / $20.00 SFMC members RESERVATIONS: 505-983-6820 |
Without question, Giacomo's life experience is unlike any other jazz artist that may come to mind. Blessed with a full-bodied and mellifluous voice, extraordinary rhythmic precision and an unerring sense of lyricism, Giacomo’s total command of the vernacular, boundless creativity and exuberant passion set him apart from nearly every other vocalist on the scene. However, he didn't display his talents to the public-at-large until 1990. Prior to that, he led the life of a hardworking blue collar "man's man." After a few years of working road construction as a laborer, tractor-trailer driver and bulldozer operator, Giacomo departed for the Alaskan wilderness in 1975, working for 14 years in a variety of jobs, including three years on the Alaska Pipeline. Whether he was doing road construction, operating scrapers, loaders and bulldozers, or driving spikes into railway tracks in the flatland emptiness of the tundra, Gates found these experiences to be powerful stimulation for developing his own artistic expression. "Two things always struck me out there," Giacomo says of that experience, "feeling insignificant and feeling very alive." There were no real opportunities to perform in Alaska until nearly the end of his time there. After much encouragement from local and visiting performers, Giacomo decided to return to his native Connecticut and devote full attention to music.
Like his mentors, Gates would sometimes translate great instrumental solos into Vocalese, including the works of Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Gene Ammons, Charlie Rouse and many others, also penning lyrics to classic jazz compositions. In citing his influences, Giacomo states "Some of my favorite singers are Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster and Lester Young. They were singing through the horn. If that isn't singing, I don't know what is!" From that perspective, Giacomo sometimes vocalizes as an instrument - trombone, trumpet, bass and even drums. Originally developed while working a steady duo gig with a pianist in Connecticut, Giacomo would improvise bass lines or drum sounds in support of the piano solos.
Invited onstage by Jon Hendricks during a performance in 1995, Gates sang drums to Hendricks' bass accompaniment of the pianist. After that, the 'instrumental version' of his vocal became part of his program. In June of 2004, Giacomo and Andy Bey joined Mark Murphy and Kurt Elling in Europe, performing with Kurt Elling's The Four Brothers vocal ensemble. Giacomo has also performed with such notables as Lou Donaldson, Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis and many other world class performers. His primary focus has been leading his own groups, which has taken him all over the U.S. and other parts of the world. His international touring includes several tours of Russia, Italy and Belgium, teaching in Europe, three Australian tours and doing a Coca Cola commercial in Madrid. Gates has six heavily acclaimed CDs, with his most recent release, Miles Tones - Giacomo Gates Sings The Music of Miles Davis, garnering rave reviews and topping the National Jazz Radio Playlist at #1 for four weeks!
Like his mentors, Gates would sometimes translate great instrumental solos into Vocalese, including the works of Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Gene Ammons, Charlie Rouse and many others, also penning lyrics to classic jazz compositions. In citing his influences, Giacomo states "Some of my favorite singers are Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster and Lester Young. They were singing through the horn. If that isn't singing, I don't know what is!" From that perspective, Giacomo sometimes vocalizes as an instrument - trombone, trumpet, bass and even drums. Originally developed while working a steady duo gig with a pianist in Connecticut, Giacomo would improvise bass lines or drum sounds in support of the piano solos.
Invited onstage by Jon Hendricks during a performance in 1995, Gates sang drums to Hendricks' bass accompaniment of the pianist. After that, the 'instrumental version' of his vocal became part of his program. In June of 2004, Giacomo and Andy Bey joined Mark Murphy and Kurt Elling in Europe, performing with Kurt Elling's The Four Brothers vocal ensemble. Giacomo has also performed with such notables as Lou Donaldson, Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis and many other world class performers. His primary focus has been leading his own groups, which has taken him all over the U.S. and other parts of the world. His international touring includes several tours of Russia, Italy and Belgium, teaching in Europe, three Australian tours and doing a Coca Cola commercial in Madrid. Gates has six heavily acclaimed CDs, with his most recent release, Miles Tones - Giacomo Gates Sings The Music of Miles Davis, garnering rave reviews and topping the National Jazz Radio Playlist at #1 for four weeks!
WITH SINCERE THANKS - TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS AND GRANTOR
Meredith R. Speers
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DICK and LAURIE MEYER
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BRUCE JOHNSON
and DIANE RAMSEY |
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