Singer Georgia Mancio brings her unique take on jazz to Bridport
Award-winning jazz vocalist/lyricist Georgia Mancio has proved herself one of the UK’s most original, inventive and important new artists. She combines her talents with guitarist Nigel Price in a joyous and intimate programme of jazz and latin songs at Bridport Arts Centre Jazz Café on Friday 5 July.
Both regular performers at the world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s Club, their show was initially inspired by the musical partnership of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, and guitar virtuoso Joe Pass. Georgia’s spell-binding story telling and fiery Italian/Uruguayan roots together with Nigel’s deep blues groove and soulful accompaniment make for a fantastic evening’s entertainment for all ages and musical tastes.
In just a decade of professional work, jazz vocalist Georgia Mancio has established herself as one of the UK’s most important new artists. This has been compounded by: appearances with Bobby McFerrin (2009 Meltdown and 2003 London Jazz Festival), Sheila Jordan, Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw; a first prize win at the 2005 Brussels International Young Jazz Singers’ Competition; 4 star live reviews from both The Evening Standard and The Guardian; two albums and numerous sell-out performance dates and tours in the UK, Poland, Italy, Portugal and Belgium including slots at Ronnie Scott’s opposite Cedar Walton.
Mancio’s music is an intriguing reflection of her Anglo-Latino background: predominantly a jazz standards singer born and raised in the UK, her musical lineage goes back first to her Italian grandparents (an opera singer and concert pianist) and then to her Uruguayan great-grandmother, also a pianist. It is no surprise then to hear the breadth of material covered in one of her shows (from Rodgers and Hart to David Bowie, the Beatles and Tom Waits, as well as Brazilian samba, Chilean folk and Italian pop) or the ease with which she switches from English to Italian to Spanish to Brazilian Portuguese. And indeed it is her affinity with language and languages that has been key to her beautifully crafted work as a lyricist on compositions by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and Horace Silver.
Guitarist Nigel Price is an astonishing presence on the current UK jazz scene with that rare ability to both groove with fiery, flowing bebop lines and deep blues and yet also provide the most sensitive and melodic of accompaniment. He spent three years with the James Taylor Quartet, and has worked with Alan Barnes, Snowboy, and the Ronnie Scott’s Allstars among many others. In 2010 his organ trio won the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Jazz Ensemble in recognition of his instantly accessible and infectious music, which has proved a huge hit with both audiences and press.
Mancio’s 2003 debut album, PEACEFUL PLACE, was followed by TRAPEZE, in 2008. Critical acclaim from press, promoters and audiences alike overwhelmingly announced her as a major new talent more than capable of reproducing live the joyous, vibrant and imaginative work heard on record. Her collaboration with leading vocalist, Ian Shaw, which has included performances at The Pizza Express Jazz Club, North Devon Festival, Pizza on the Park and The Royal Festival Hall (with the Voicelab Choir London Jazz Festival 2009) is one of the highlights of her third album,SILHOUETTE.
“She is, without question, the real thing” (JazzUK) “A performer of character, conviction and controlled virtuosity” (The Guardian****) “the lethal cool of a Mafioso stiletto..Mancio had the crowd begging for more” (The Evening Standard)**** “Mancio’s a force to be reckoned with…. her musicality and inspired choice of material mark her out as one to watch” (BBC Online) “Georgia Mancio is …. a shining example of what jazz vocalists should strive to try and reach. She has a voice of timeless elegance that will only continue to enchant for years to come” (JazzReview.com) “Georgia has the full package: great voice, highly professional stage presence…and the rare ability to choose wonderful material”(Global Jazz Scene) “Remember the name because Georgia Mancio is just this side of a breakthrough into the mainstream…she’s a versatile virtuoso!” (Sunday Mercury) “Absolutely beautiful” (The Jazz – Liane Carroll).
Friday 5 July 8pm
Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NR
Box Office 01308 424204 £10
http://www.bridport-arts.com/events/jazz-cafe-georgia-mancio-nigel-price
