Gabrielle Stravelli Quartet
American singer Gabrielle Stravelli, one of the world's foremost interpreters of the American Songbook, will be bringing her quartet to the World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens to present a programme of well-known classics and lesser-known gems from jazz's history. In all her performances, Stravelli combines a tremendous swing feel with a gift for lyric interpretation, leading to a career defined by highly individual choices and a genuine connection with audiences.
Known for her swinging rhythmic feel, elegant and intelligent interpretation of ballads, and dazzling stage presence, she sings regularly at major jazz venues and festivals globally, has collaborated with artists including Fred Hersch and Wynton Marsalis, and has frequently taken up residencies at legendary jazz-clubs like Birdland with the USA's top-tier musicians and improvisers.
Hugo Jennings is a pianist, singer, and bandleader. He has established himself as a respected name in British jazz through his playing, knowledge of the music, and work as founder and director of the Battersea Jazz Festival. His music is inspired by Barry Harris, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Cedar Walton, Thelonious Monk, and countless other jazz and classical composers. He has appeared at venues including the Clapham Grand, Pizza Express Dean Street, ExWide in Pisa, and performed alongside musicians including Steve Fishwick, Alex Garnett, Tom Smith, Quentin Collins, and American artists including Chuck Redd and Adam Moezinia.
American bassist Patrick O’Leary has toured all over the world with a veritable Who’s Who of jazz greats including Lionel Hampton, Illinois Jacquet, Diana Krall, Hal Galper, Bob Dorough and Teri Thornton. During his tenure as the bassist for the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Pat recorded the Grammy-nominated CD “Sentimental Journey” for Atlantic Records. Pat performed with legendary jazz pianist and vocalist Bob Dorough for 20 years, and other leading artists including Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt, saxophonists James Moody, Junior Cook, Lee Konitz and Joe Lovano, pianists Barry Harris and Junior Mance, and vocalists Joe Williams and Marlena Shaw.
Matt Skelton is a drummer equally at home in modern and vintage Jazz styles enjoying a diverse musical career that has already spanned three decades. He has accompanied many leading Jazz luminaries such as Harry ''Sweets'' Edison, Conte Candoli, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, Scott Hamilton, John Hendricks, Kurt Elling, Curtis Stigers, Gregory Porter, and most recently Georgie Fame. He has recorded and appeared with singers such as Marion Montgomery, Dame Cleo Laine, Claire Martin and Dame Jessye Norman. In 2015 he toured in the USA and recorded with Seth Macfarlane. He was Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's drummer of choice and for eight years toured and recorded as a member of Stacey Kent’s group, including her Grammy-nominated 2007 release Breakfast On The Morning Tram on BlueNote. Matt is a founder member of the Grammy nominated John Wilson Orchestra. He regularly appears with the BBC Big Band and often with the BBC Concert, BBC Philharmonic and BBC Symphony orchestras including the Last Night of the Proms 2017. Traveling as John Wilson's drummer he has most recently performed with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Stockholm Philharmonic, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to his busy schedule performing alongside some of the biggest names in world music, Matt teaches at both Guildhall School of Music & Drama and for the London College Of Music, University Of West London. Matt is especially proud of his close mentoring of young jazz drummers who have recently made such an impact on the UK Jazz scene.
- Lineup: Gabrielle Stravelli, vocals; Hugo Jennings, piano; Pat O’Leary, bass; Steve Brown, drums
- Watch Gabrielle Stravelli on YouTube.
- Music starts at 7.30pm
- Ticket Prices: £15 early birds; £18 full price
This year, the Battersea Jazz Festival is raising money for the Lily Foundation. The Lily Foundation is the UK's leading charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease. We’re working towards a world in which every mitochondrial disease patient has a voice and access to treatment, support to improve their life and, ultimately, a cure. 10 million people in the UK suffer from diseases in which mitochondrial dysfunction is believed to be involved, and every other day in the UK a baby is born that will develop mitochondrial disease. The Lily Foundation is fighting to change this. £1 of every ticket you purchase will be donated directly to the Foundation’s work.
