Giacomo Gates & Larry Dunlap Trio

Saturday, August 13, 2011 | Bella Mia Stage | 4pm

Giacomo Gates is an authentic jazz vocalist. Steeped in the traditions of the original vocal improvisers from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald through their modern counterparts Betty Carter and Leon Thomas, Giacomo's own approach draws most heavily from the bebop-rooted masters like Jon Hendricks, Babs Gonzales, King Pleasure and, most of all, Eddie Jefferson. Like his influences, Gates has forged his own unique path.

Like his mentors, Gates would sometimes translate great instrumental solos into Vocalese, including the works of Lee Morgan, Chet Baker, Gene Ammons, Charlie Rouse and many others, also penning lyrics to classic jazz compositions. In citing his influences, Giacomo says "Some of my favorite singers are Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster and Lester Young."

Gates led the life of a hardworking blue collar "man's man," not displaying his signing talent until 1990 at age 40. After doing everything from diriving a school bus to working on the Alaska Pipeline, Gates found these experiences to be powerful stimulation for developing his artistic expression. Eventually, he returned to his native Connecticut and devoted full attention to his music.

Gates has played major U.S. clubs: New York's Birdland, the Five Spot and the Jazz Standard; Philadelphia's Zanzibar Blue; Blues Alley in Washington D.C.; and Snug Harbor in New Orleans, and has been featured at major festivals.  He has also performed and taught in Europe and has toured Australia twice. Gates has three heavily acclaimed CDs, with his most recent release Centerpiece on Origin Records garnering rave reviews and receiving heavy airplay on over 300 stations.

giacomogates.com

Photo credit: Andrzej Pilarczyk