Jazz Band Zurich | Becky and the Gents

Soulful Songs with Spicy Rhythms

REBECCA SPITERI & BAND

REBECCA SPITERI | vocals

Started her musical career in the UK and performed in clubs like the Stable, Rowleys, Djingles, Zanzibar and the Blitz in Covent Garden, London. With her late husband, Charlie Spiteri, she recorded with the Spiteri Band (GM Records) the combo’s own original material, latin/rock/ jazz crossover.

She brings a distinctive authenticity to her singing, by having lived in the USA, Venezuela and England. Her clear and full voice, her mastery of languages make her a special artist to the public. A great plus is also her knowledge of different styles from Gospel, Soul, RB, Jazz to Caribbean music, Cumbia, Calypso, Samba, Bossa Nova, Salsa.

Rebecca has played with many bands such as: In England "Painful Laughter" and the "Mill Family", in California with "Spark’n Cinders", in Switzerland "All that Jazz Quintett", "The Soul Club", "Metronome Quintett", "Chévere", "Prestige", "Easy Listening Jazz", "Rebecca and the Sophistocats", "Richard Broadnax and the Zion Singers".

DAVID WILDI | guitars

Graduate of the Jazz School St. Gallen / Teaching at several music schools / Live and studio work with various jazz, fusion and rock formations / Own duo, Jazz In Common (git,voc) / Participation in theatre and dance projects / Concert activities in Switzerland and abroad / Performances at international jazz festivals (Lugano) / Various CD recordings and recordings.a. 1998 as rhythm guitarist on Fritz Renold's "Starlight" (with Randy Brecker, Mark Soskin, Christian Jacob, Bill Pierce, Mike Richmond, Danny Gottlieb) and 1999 "Star Crossed Lovers" (among others with Bob Berg and Adam Nussbaum) / appearance with own arrangements at the Saalbau Concerts 2000 in Aarau (among others with Bobby Watson and Adi Yeshaia). Participation in the "Vocal Night" of the same concert series with Buster Williams and Carl Allen, among others) / 2003 release of the debut album WINDSONG (sextet, own compositions, co-production with Radio DRS2,) and subsequent tour / in between concert activity with various formations. 2012 second album THE INNER STAR (quartet, own compositions, co-production with Radio DRS2, Unit Records / Euphonia).

NATASCHA STOHLER | piano & keyboards

Natascha is a Pianist with roots in jazz and classical music. She completed her studies at the Music Academy of Basel and teaches at the Zurich Conservatory of Music MKZ and at the Basel Music Academy, in the jazz department for piano and theory.

She is a versatile musician who encompasses with equal talent and passion not only conventional jazz and classical chamber music but also interdisciplinary projects with other art forms, such as film music for Hans Richter's "Die neue Wohnung", music for "KlangGang" with the Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble.

Past projects: Radio production on DRS2 at Hörpunkt, various compositions and accompaniment for readings, films and performing arts.
Natascha joined Becky and the Gents this year and is a true enrichment to the combo.

LUKAS GADOLA | saxophones

Lukas started playing the clarinet at the age of 8.

Then followed the inevitable and steep career in the local brass band. But he quickly realized that his heart was not beating in two-four time, and so he opened his ears to other musical styles, from Hudigäggeler to Dixieland.

A short affair with Mozart & Co. ended abruptly with his unsuccessful participation in a youth music competition. The way was now clear for Rock 'n Roll.

But of course a saxophone was mandatory.

In the 80s he discovered jazz funk with formations around Chris Wiesendanger and founded the funk group SPLIT with four friends. With them he stood on all important stages in Switzerland and made guest appearances in the USA. The band was, among others, supporting Stanley Clarke, Dave Grusin, Paquito d'Rivera and James Brown.

Later on he played in different formations from Soul (Vulture Club) to Latin (Cheveré) to Jazz (Bankers' Big Band, Sophistocats) and today he is at home in all sorts of music styles.

PHILIPP ACKERMANN | bass

Philipp Ackermann first taught himself to play the electric bass and worked with various funk and fusion bands in the Zurich area.

He later developed a taste for jazz and turned to the double bass exploring the various styles of jazz music.

Philipp's musical preferences continue to move between Straight Ahead Jazz and groovy Soul & Funk.

FABIO VEZZIO | drums

Autodidact, "with great affect to Soul-Funk Black music" later studies Jazzschule Luzern & WIAM Winterthur; 30 years of live experience with dozens of band, all styles, Jazz,Blues, Soul, Funk, Rock'n'Roll, Latin, Afro, Reggae, Big Band etc; with always the same "Credo": Time-Keeping & GROOVE !

2012 Week on the scene Masterclass with Jim Payne,

in N.Y.C.

Masterclass with Bernard Purdie

Masterclass with Fred Wesley & the New J.B.'s

Collaboration among others with Bela Balint Trio, Crazy Daze Big Band, Bonnie & the Groove Cats, The Poorboys. Also active as "hotel pianist", Dinner Music. Drum and piano teacher at various music schools.

Fotos: Lukas Saxer

UPCOMING DATES

27.9.2021 | Gala Dinner Waid
Zürich

18.10.2021 | Gala Dinner Waid
Zürich

26.3.2022 | Schmidechäuer
Burgdorf

REBECCA SPITERI & BAND

Fotos: Lukas Saxer

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