Cape May Jazz Vespers Concert featuring singer/songwriter/guitarist Gina Roché accompanied by Jim Ridl on keyboards will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May on August 5th at 8 pm. For more information and directions visit www.capemayjazzvespers.com or call 609.846.3979. Advance tickets not necessary. A $10 minimum donation is requested; wheelchair accessible.
GINA ROCHÉ, known for her exciting live performances, imbues a Brazilian twist into her unique blend of pop, jazz, blues and singer/songwriter originals. Gina has toured Wales, England, Japan, the U.S., The Grand Cayman Islands and Aruba and performed on Good Morning America and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Gina began singing, writing songs and playing guitar when she was 16. Very soon her talent was noticed by local musicians. “I auditioned for a pop/R&B group and was thrilled when I got the job. I spent the next two years performing in nightclubs in the Philly area.”
Her interest in music from other countries emerged early. “I heard a few Latin tunes on the radio and was just knocked out! It wasn’t long before I was on a plane.” During her time performing in the Caribbean, Gina found a special connection to the music of the Islands and Brazil. “I fell in love with music of Brazil: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymmi, Djavan, Joao Gilberto and Elis Regina.” These influences are very noticeable on Gina’s two critically acclaimed CD releases, “Dawning of A New Way”, and “Thankfully”.
More recently Gina has been performing as leader of her own group and touring throughout the U.S. Gina appeared in concert with her group celebrating Women Singers and Songwriters for her annual Mother’s Day Event, followed by her tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra in her show “Let’s Be Frank” which will be performed in another concert venue in the near future.
She often plays with her quintet, but also performs in duos and solo. Whatever the group’s makeup, Gina always delivers a heartfelt and memorable musical experience. As two Jazz periodicals have about Ms. Roché:
"...an individualistic and compelling singer." ~All About Jazz.
"Gina Roché is what makes the listener sit up and take notice." ~ Jazz News
Performing with Gina will be master pianist JIM RIDL. Jim is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and teacher residing in the New York City area. He performs internationally with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quartet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, the Mingus Big Band, Ximo Tebar’s IVAM Jazz Ensemble of Spain, and the Tim Horner Quintet. Jim’s sixth CD, Jim Ridl’s Blue Corn Enchilada Dreams, features the outstanding soloists Terell Stafford, Donald Edwards, and John Benitez in an inspired quartet setting.
Additionally, Jim has performed and/or recorded with a large array of world-class musicians. Among them have been Randy Brecker, Marc Johnson, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Mickey Roker, Billy Hart, Mark Murphy, Ravi Coltrane, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, to name just a few.
The following review from AllAboutJazz summarizes Jim’s playing and composing:
"...an innovative force in jazz, a pianist of the highest caliber, a creative composer and improviser, and one of those rare musicians who stretches the art form even as he honors the established traditions." AllAboutJazz
Together, Roché and Ridl are a musical powerhouse. They can lift you up and carry you away on a musical carpet, woven from the best Brazilian yarns.
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