Biography
Giacomo Gates emerged from the East Coast as a jazz vocalist whose smoky timbre supports an interpretive approach to lyrics, matched by command of scat and vocalese. Born and raised in Connecticut, he began singing at seven and first encountered jazz through his father, a classical violinist. Guitar lessons began at eight and continued until he turned fourteen, when he set the instrument aside after determining that singing offered the strongest outlet for his musical ideas.
In early adulthood he sought a new setting and headed to Alaska, remaining there twelve years while taking on work that ranged from bulldozer operation to bar security. A performance at a summer arts festival in Fairbanks drew the attention of headliner Sarah Vaughan, who recognized his promise and urged him to leave the state, where opportunities for discovery were scarce. Though he was not yet treating music as a vocation, reaching the age of forty in 1990 prompted a firm commitment, leading him back to Connecticut to position himself nearer to New York.
His first album, Blue Skies, appeared on Digital Music Products in 1995, followed by Fly Rite on Sharp Nine in 1998. Regular demand for his stage presence has placed him alongside Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, Lou Donaldson, Rufus Reid, and other leading figures. The 2004 release Centerpiece, his third recording, presented readings of material associated with Cole Porter, Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and additional writers. That same year he joined Kurt Elling’s Four Brothers vocal ensemble with Andy Bey and Mark Murphy for a European tour, after which he resumed solo activity with the 2008 album Luminosity.
After signing with Savant Records he issued the 2011 Gil Scott-Heron tribute The Revolution Will Be Jazz. Two years later came Miles Tones, another homage, this time to Miles Davis, and Everything Is Cool followed in 2015. His eighth studio album, What Time Is It?, arrived in 2017 with support from pianist John Di Martino, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Vincent Ector, plus guest appearances by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi and tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon.
In early adulthood he sought a new setting and headed to Alaska, remaining there twelve years while taking on work that ranged from bulldozer operation to bar security. A performance at a summer arts festival in Fairbanks drew the attention of headliner Sarah Vaughan, who recognized his promise and urged him to leave the state, where opportunities for discovery were scarce. Though he was not yet treating music as a vocation, reaching the age of forty in 1990 prompted a firm commitment, leading him back to Connecticut to position himself nearer to New York.
His first album, Blue Skies, appeared on Digital Music Products in 1995, followed by Fly Rite on Sharp Nine in 1998. Regular demand for his stage presence has placed him alongside Freddie Hubbard, Richie Cole, Lou Donaldson, Rufus Reid, and other leading figures. The 2004 release Centerpiece, his third recording, presented readings of material associated with Cole Porter, Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and additional writers. That same year he joined Kurt Elling’s Four Brothers vocal ensemble with Andy Bey and Mark Murphy for a European tour, after which he resumed solo activity with the 2008 album Luminosity.
After signing with Savant Records he issued the 2011 Gil Scott-Heron tribute The Revolution Will Be Jazz. Two years later came Miles Tones, another homage, this time to Miles Davis, and Everything Is Cool followed in 2015. His eighth studio album, What Time Is It?, arrived in 2017 with support from pianist John Di Martino, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Vincent Ector, plus guest appearances by guitarist Tony Lombardozzi and tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon.
Albums
