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Roberta Gambarini

Born and raised in Turin, Italy, to music loving parents (who had actually first met at a jazz concert), two-times Grammy nominated singer Roberta Gambarini grew up constantly listening to her father’s record collection. Her first vocal inspiration was the music of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, but she soon discovered Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday,and Carmen McRae, as well as gospel and blues artists such as Mahalia Jackson and Bessie Smith. At age 12 she began studying clarinet, but realizing the versatility and talents of her clear alto, she moved to voice, singing and performing in clubs by the time she was 17.

In 1998, Gambarini received a scholarship to study for two years at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Barely 2 weeks after setting foot on american soil for the first time, Roberta surprised the jazz world by being one of the runner-ups in the 1998 Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition.

With this recognition as a springboard and the assistance of some of the greatest musicians in the world, who immediately appreciated her talent and invited her to perform with them, she quickly became a fixture on the international jazz circuit, appearing in major concert halls, Festivals and clubs around the globe ( Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl , Jazz at Lincoln Center , the North Sea Jazz Festival, and many more) .

As a result, Roberta has had the good fortune to appear in concert and record with such Giants as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Michel & Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Cobb, Al Foster, Slide Hampton, Frank Wess, Harold Mabern, Toots Thielemans, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Mark O’Connor, Cyrus Chestnut, Percy Heath, Ron Carter, Johnny Griffin, the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars Big Band, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Ray Drummond, George Cables, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Burrell, Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Center orchestra, and many others.

Roberta’s first American release ‘Easy to love’, earned the accolades of fans and critics alike and prestigious Grammy nomination, as did her third, ‘So in love’ ,which was also awarded the Grand Prix du Jazz Vocal 2009 by the Jazz Academy of France.

She was twice named the “Female Jazz Singer of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association (2007 & 2009 ). One of the most important music figures of the 20th century, the late Benny Carter, cited Roberta as his favorite singer. James Moody, the legendary saxophonist and singer, was Roberta’s mentor and teacher, and introduced her to many of the major venues in the world.

Roberta Gambarini: Easy To Love

Read "Easy To Love" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
June 27, 2023

In 2007, All About Jazz reviewer Michael Caratti wrote: “This debut outing from Roberta Gambarini sees the Italian-born jazz vocalist pair up with two star-studded rhythm sections and legendary tenor saxophonist James Moody, to present what has to be one of the best vocal jazz albums of the decade. Opening with Cole Porter's classic title track Gambarini's exquisite tone and masterful rhythmic phrasing are immediately on display in the first a capella section. The gradual addition of bass and brushes ...

Live Review

Roberta Gambarini At Dazzle

by Geoff Anderson
January 24, 2023

Roberta Gambarini Dazzle Denver, CO January 7, 2023 Let me be frank. I'm often dismayed when I see a new album from a promising new jazz artist and review the song list and it's all jazz standards. Don't get me wrong, many of the songs composed in the first half of the 20th Century are the finest songs ever written. But, as jazz standards, they've been performed a lot. In fact, that's part of the ...

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Live Review

Roberta Gambarini and Convergence

by Geoff Anderson
February 17, 2010

Roberta Gambarini and Convergence Dazzle Nightclub Denver, CO Februay 6, 2010 (First Set)Roberta Gambarini played Denver last year with a piano trio. She returned in early February this year for a three night stand with double the support, backed this time by the six piece Convergence. Gambarini can carry a show with minimal backing, but the high powered Convergence added considerable texture, variety and plain old fun.Gambarini had just left ...

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Multiple Reviews

Roberta Gambarini: Learning to Love Jazz

by Samuel Chell
November 3, 2009

Not long ago a veteran Chicago jazz disc jockey played a track from a female vocalist's new CD only after complaining on the air about the seemingly unending stream of new recordings by female singers sent to his notice each week. The exception to his policy not to play them was due, he explained, to the sender's being a close friend and loyal listener of the show.From the evidence, the radio announcer's observations about the number of vocal ...

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Interview

Roberta Gambarini: Making Listeners Fall 'So In Love'

by R.J. DeLuke
October 12, 2009

It's been an out-of-the-ordinary career trip for Roberta Gambarini--a trip that's seen her go from a young girl in Italy, scatting along with records by American singers Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, to struggling to get singing gigs in her native land, to grabbing an opportunity to come to the United States, to gaining recognition by respected elders like Benny Carter, James Moody, Clark Terry and nonagenarian pianist Hank Jones, who has proclaimed her “the best jazz singer to emerge ...

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Album Review

Roberta Gambarini: So In Love

Read "So In Love" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
August 28, 2009

In his book The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide, music writer Scott Yanow presents a list of the 30 most important jazz singers. One name most likely to join that group, Yanow believes, is that of Roberta Gambarini. Very quickly, this talented Italian singer has established herself as an artist to be considered seriously in the same manner that Anthony Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett, is considered.

Born in Torino, Italy, Gambarini came to the United States in 1998 ...

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Live Review

Roberta Gambarini at Dazzle's in Denver

by Geoff Anderson
July 3, 2009

Roberta Gambarini Dazzle Nightclub Denver, Colorado June 19, 2009The really great ones make it sound easy: like walking down the street, nothing to it. That applies to instrumentalists as well as singers. Vocalist Roberta Gambarini unequivocally falls into that category. Friday night at Dazzle, Gambarini showed why she's garnering increased attention in the jazz world and why many people are placing her in the very top rankings of female jazz vocalists.

Performance / Tour

The Best is yet to Come: Roberta Gambarini at the Dakota

Source: JazzINK by Andrea Canter
February 3, 2011

At the Dakota on January 31st, Roberta Gambarini was good. Even wonderful. (I did stay for two sets!) But I hesitate to say “amazing." There is no doubt she is a very talented jazz singer who deserves (and gets) serious accolades. I gave her plenty myself a year ago after her stunning sets at the Dakota. But I think calling her “the best new singer of the past 50 years" (the often quoted praise of the late Hank Jones) is ...
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Interview

Singer Roberta Gambarini Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
October 12, 2009

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Interview

Italian Vocalist Roberta Gambarini's Imperfect Jazz

Source: All About Jazz @ Spinner
October 8, 2009

As the child of parents who met at a jazz concert, it would seem that singer Roberta Gambarini was destined (or cursed!) to become a jazz musician. Born and raised in Torino, Italy, Gambarini has since gained a reputation as one of the best new singers on the jazz scene, singing in a warm but light alto voice that recalls early Ella Fitzgerald. She came to the States in 1998 to study at the prestigious New ...
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Recording

Roberta Gambarini New Album "So in Love" out August 25

Source: Special Ops Media
July 31, 2009

Celebrated Singer Roberta Gambarini Affirms Her Status as One of the Most Important Vocalists Today with the Release of So in Love out on Groovin’ High/Emarcy on August 25, 2009 New York, NY – Every once in a while, a truly great singer comes along who possesses the beauty, individuality and talent to remind us of the magic and majesty of the human voice: that singer is Roberta Gambarini, celebrated throughout the world by fans, critics and many of the ...
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Festival

Brubeck Festival 2007: Words with Musicto Feature Dave Brubeck Quartet, Roberta Gambarini and Others

Source: All About Jazz
February 22, 2007

Stockton, CA -- Dedicated to jazz, contemporary concert music, lectures and symposia, Brubeck Festival 2007 will be held from April 11-15 in Stockton, California. An annual event that celebrates the musical, intellectual, and philosophical ideas of Dave Brubeck, this year's festival is entitled Words with Music and honors the words and music of Iola and Dave Brubeck. In its sixth year, the five day festival includes nine concerts, symposia and lectures centered on the University of Pacific campus. The festival's ...
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Interview

Vocalist Roberta Gambarini Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
October 3, 2006

Although Italian-born vocalist Roberta Gambarini moved to the U.S. eight years ago, up to now she's been best-known and respected among her fellow musicians. With the release of her North American debut CD, Easy to Love (Groovin' High, 2006), the general public is finally being introduced to the exceptional beauty, talent and professionalism that's been impressing top jazz artists for nearly a decade.

AAJ's Dr. Judith Schlesinger caught up with this thirty-something “overnight sensation" as she was about to embark ...
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Performance / Tour

Roy Hargrove Quintet + The Roberta Gambarini Quartet @ Town Hall (Friday, March 5th, 2004)

Source: All About Jazz
February 21, 2004

The Roy Hargrove Quintet

featuring... Roy Hargrove (trumpet/flugelhorn); Justin Robinson (alto); Ronnie Mathews (piano); Dwayne Burno (bass); Willie Jones III (drums)

PLUS

The Roberta Gambarini Quartet

featuring... Roberta Gambarini (vocals); Eric Gunnison (piano); George Mraz (bass); Victor Lewis(drums)

The Town Hall is located at: 123 West 43rd Street (6th Avenue/Broadway) 212-840-2824 (box office) 8:00pm $35/$30

Grammy Award winning Trumpeter/composer ROY HARGROVE has established a reputation as one of ...
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"With all due caution about overstatement, let me say that I don’t know of a better pure jazz vocalist than Roberta Gambarini." —Roger Crane, All About Jazz. "This CD [You Are There ~~ Roberta Gambarini & Hank Jones - 2008] promises to be one of the better vocal releases of 2008." —Suzanne Lorge, All About Jazz. "R-O-B-E-R-T-A G-A-M-B-A-R-I-N-I .....remember this name. She'll be the best singer around for quite a while." (James Moody) "Gambarini is a true successor to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae." (Boston Globe) "Gambarini is a gem...an urbane, swinging singer with a voice so pure and a phrasing so silky, it seems to flow like water from a spring." (Seattle Times) "...blessed with superb musicality and an intuitive grasp of jazz vocal elements..." (Los Angeles Times) "Amazing stuff....all of it." (Don Heckman, LA Times) "Gambarini is the real deal." (Steve Eddy, OC Register) “She is a vocal virtuoso, and nearly everything about her singing is perfect - her intonation, her ear for harmony, her vocal tone, her time