Featuring Harold Danko, Ray Drummond, Greg Bandy, Vic Juris and Vincent Herring, vocalist Gates presents a set of classics highlighted by his own lyrics and those of King Pleasure, Eddie Jefferson and Cole Porter.''Gates continues to cement his place in the tight coterie of 'main men' of jazz singing. Indeed, he is a standout member of an endangered species. His inventive manifestations reveal his mastery of this niche art form. Not only is he a natural talent, Gates is gifted with the temperament of a purist and a skilled craftsman of a high musical intelligence. Little wonder for the past 8 years his performances have recruited rabid audiences of many stripes.'' - Herb Wong, past-president IAJE.
K**T
... this CD "Centerpiece"and found it to be just as good. It is inspiring to discover that jazz singing ...
After discovering his "Blue Skies"CD I Bought this CD "Centerpiece"and found it to be just as good.It is inspiring to discover that jazz singing is still alive and well.This will not be last purchase of this artist.Kevin Zoot
A**R
Terrific vocals as usual
Terrific vocals as usual! However, the drummer is far too dominant in the mix, and some of his playing unnecessarily detracts from whole performance on several tracks. The rest of the group sound superb. (I am deliberately not naming the players to avoid my biases!)
P**N
smooth style gets a smile.
CenterpieceGiacomo made me feel so cool that I had to also purchase "Rembering Eddie Jefferson" (Eddie Landsberg) . On this CD Giacomo switched himself into Eddie Jefferson and performed as if he was Eddie Jefferson himself. Along with Gia is Eddie Landsberg on the Hammond B-3 Organ what more can I ask for?
L**E
LISTEN
Jazz at its accessible best.
W**N
Five Stars
great
J**0
The equal of Mark Murphy, Eddie Jefferson, Kurt Elling
I agree enthusiastically with the previous reviewer. I heard Giacomo at a Gainesville Florida Friends of Jazz concert in 11/08. I was bowled over by this swinging, sophisticated practitioner of the rare art of jazz singing and scat. He has a mellifluous deep voice. What a great stage presence. He regaled us with stories of the background of each song, and shared his experiences about great jazz musicians. His songbook includes many of the great jazz standards. He should be placed on the same level with singers such as Mark Murphy, Kurt Elling and Eddie Jefferson.This CD includes many of the numbers he sang in the concert. He is backed by a all-star group including Harold Danko, piano; Ray Drummond, bass; Vincent Herring,alto; Vic Juris, guitar. You can't go wrong with this artist.
M**E
Centerpiece is a Masterpiece
It is unfortunate that Giacomo Gates is not better known for he is a most talented jazz vocalist. Granted he doesn't have the vocal range of a Kurt Elling but his rich, melliflulous, voice more than compensates. He is a jazz musician thru and thru and his scatting ability is without peer.This is a swinging album that has become one of my favorites. Would love to see him in concert.
S**R
Smooth Jazz Vocals
I first heard Giacomo on Jazz with Bob Parlocha. His voice was so smooth and elegant that I decided to purchase this CD. One of the best vocal purchases I have made in 10 years. His phrasing and melodically rich voice is an instrument. It blends with the other instruments to therapeutically message and feed the hunger within for quality jazz. You can't go wrong with this one!
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