Photo Credit: Kerry Shaw
“She is, to me, the perfect balance of fragile beauty and a burning intensity that makes her and her music irresistible.” – Don Thompson (Canadian Jazz Giant, Order of Canada)
“A lovely muse of music…a femme fatale from film noir…jazz improvisation at its best…that’s Geneviève “Gigi” Marentette” – Don Franks (Actor, musician)
“This fresh new jazz singer puts as much originality into her covers of the newer repertoire as she does the standards from long ago. With the most minimal of backing, she makes all of this material exciting. ” – Mark Rheaume, CBC Radio
“I plan my calendar around Geneviève’s performances…You should too.” – Jaymz Bee JAZZFM.91
Gigi sings 1969 songs
Genevieve Marentette has established herself as one of Toronto’s most recognizable and illustrious performers. Gigi, as she is nicknamed, began singing professionally at the age of 5 under her mother Linda Girard’s wing. She studied at Walkerville Centre of the Creative Arts and Humber College’s Jazz Program and worked in Asia and Europe for 8 years. Gigi has worked with many greats, including Jane Siberry, Ted Quinlan, Esthero, Don Thompson, Roy Ayers, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Don Francks and Larnell Lewis. Alongside Molly Johnson, she is one of the proud co-founders of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival. She is currently working on a record of songs from the year 1969. This project was inspired by resonating discussions with her mentor and friend David Clayton-Thomas about the zeitgeist of the 60s”, a time when musicians were warriors of social justice and peace. She’s excited to perform her jazz arrangements of these iconic songs to the KW Jazz Room with a stellar band for this very special matinée.
Personnel:
Genevieve Marentette – Vocals
Rob Christian – Piano, Flute & Saxophone
Eric St-Laurent – Guitar
George Koller – Bass
Adam Bowman – Drums
Check out: “Primrose Samba” at Lula Lounge “Thing Foolish& Favourite”-with Don Francks
This performance is sponsored by DIVA INTERNATIONAL, makers of the Diva Cup, for the” Women in Jazz Series”
