Search - Giacomo Gates :: Blue Skies

Hip Torch Carrier of Vocalese...

Eddie Landsberg | Tokyo, Japan | 12/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Giacomo Gates is a different type of singer. I first came across him when I decide to record a CD called REMEMBERING EDDIE JEFFERSON, and I asked a well known music critic to pick a vocalist to fill some pretty big shoes. I wanted someone who had more than merely a "nice voice" or knew the lyrics to Benny's From Heaven (which we didn't do...) I wanted someone who loved and understood Eddie's style, yet had his own take on it as well. Fat chance ? Not exactly... And so I met Giacomo Gates. As you'll hear on this album, Giacomo (just nominated by Downbeat Critic's Poll as Talent Most Deserving Wider Attention) is a master of vocalese with his own feel -- he has the 'isms, but is hip enough to drop the cliches and make the tunes swinging and soulfully his one... He has a full voice that is vibrant, expressive and rides the groove, yet at the same time is natural and relaxed even when delivering the trickiest of lyrics. Listen hard to each track... these might be "standards" (doing What Price Love and Yardbird back to back is just one demontration of his immersed and historical approach to the muic) but nothing is merely standard when Giacomo, a master of vocal phrasing puts a fresh perspecive on tunes you may have even heard before, yet captivates you like a master story tell... and oh yes... believe me... he can scat (and he has his own style too.)Originality, yet a solid understanding of his predecessors makes this great Jazz singer a vocalist's vocalist, master Jazz singer and great entertainer... The sound samples speak for themselves as well as the great ensemble, so I'll leave it at that. - - Get this CD while its still available - - if you don't believe me... dig the clips."

Increadible Jazz

Eddie Landsberg | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great jazz album. If you enjoy classic jazz tunes, this is the album for you. Giacomo Gates has a unique and very soothing voice. I could listen to this CD all day."