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.
Over the course of a long and storied career, Steve Brown has become one of the most sought after drummers in Britain, and since studying in New York in the early 1990s has worked with almost every major British artist, as well as many visiting American musicians, including Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Conte Condoli, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Carl Fontana, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, and Charles McPherson. Steve is a long-term colleague of American tenor sax legend, Scott Hamilton. His studio credits include albums with Stacey Kent, Dave Newton, Andy Panayi, Karen Sharp, and various groups for Alan Barnes’s Woodville label.
- 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.
