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Letizia Gambi

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Letizia Gambi
Gambi in 2017
Gambi in 2017
Background information
BornNaples, Italy
GenresJazz, traditional pop, world music, easy listening
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician, actress
InstrumentVocals
Years active2003–present
LabelsJando Music, Via Veneto Jazz, Iyouwe, RP, City Hall
Websiteletiziagambi.com

Letizia Gambi is an Italian singer-songwriter and actress. Her music is a fusion between her Italian and Neapolitan heritage and Black-American jazz roots. Gambi performs and records in English, Italian, Neapolitan and Spanish and is best known for her work with Lenny White, Ron Carter, Gato Barbieri, Chick Corea, Wallace Roney, Patrice Rushen, Gil Goldstein, Helen Sung, Pete Levin.[1][2] She has been awarded with the San Gennaro Award and was nominated for the Targa Tenco.[3][4][5] Letizia is a Recording Academy voting member since 2010.[6]

Early life and education

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Letizia Gambi was born in Naples, Italy, to an artistic family. Her family moved to Como where she studied art and dancing. Later Gambi moved to Milan where she studied acting and singing. She graduated from Milan's International Jazz School with a master's degree in Jazz vocal performance.[1]

Career

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Work with Lenny White

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In 2009, Gambi met Lenny White playing with Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke at the Blue Note in Milan. As result of their meeting, White produced her 2012 debut album Introducing Letizia Gambi, three singles and the 2016 sophomore album Blue Monday.[7][8][9][10] Gambi's collaboration with Lenny White included work with Ron Carter, Gato Barbieri, Chick Corea, Wallace Roney, Patrice Rushen, Gil Goldstein, Helen Sung, Dave Stryker, Pete Levin, Donald Vega, Pedrito Martinez, John Benitez, Hector Del Curto, Jisoo Ok, Antonio Faraò, Max Ionata and Dario Rosciglione.[1][10][8][7]

Letizia Gambi in 3D

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In 2018 Gambi formed an all female band under the name Letizia Gambi in 3D, members of the band include Elisabetta Serio on piano and Giovanna Famulari on cello.[11][12] The band started as a trio, then she added a drummer. The female quartet made its debut on the International Jazz Day of 2021, organized by the historic Blues Alley Club in Washington, D.C., under the patronage of the Italian Cultural Institute of the city, the Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute and UNESCO.[13]

Personal life

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In 2009, Gambi experienced SSNHL (Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss) leading to total permanent hearing loss in her right ear.[1][14][15] Her brother Gianpaolo Gambi, is an actor, TV host and writer. Her uncle is an opera singer. She lives between New York and Miami.[16]

Discography

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Albums

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  • 2012: Introducing Letizia Gambi[17][7]
  • 2016: Blue Monday[1]

Singles

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Notable album appearances

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Micallef, Ken (June 2016). "Cross-Cultural Mix" (PDF). downbeat.com. p. 25. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Letizia Gambi | Credits". All Music. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  3. ^ "Ritorna San Gennaro Day, san Gennaro e il miracolo della Napoli che si rinnova". www.corrieredelsud.it (in Italian). 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  4. ^ "Napoli fa incetta di candidature al Premio Tenco - Il Mattino.it". www.ilmattino.it. 3 September 2016. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  5. ^ ""San Gennaro Day": Premio a Ferzan Ozpetek e tante soprese".
  6. ^ "L'Intervista OFF a Letizia Gambi". 5 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b c Letizia Gambi - Introducing Letizia Gambi Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic
  8. ^ a b Loudon, Christopher. "Letizia Gambi: Introducing Letizia Gambi". JazzTimes. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  9. ^ Staff (26 October 2012). "Discs: Gary Clark Jr., Vivaldi update, Letizia Gambi, Friar Alessandro". Buffalo News. Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  10. ^ a b "Letizia Gambi Blue Monday". JAZZIZ Magazine. 2016-06-23. Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  11. ^ Redazione (2017-08-22). "Jazz: 4 artiste di fama internazionale a Termoli dal 23 al 26 agosto". Molise News 24 (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  12. ^ Saracino, Zeno (5 June 2018). ""Letizia Gambi in 3D", una grande voce del Jazz italiano a Capodistria - TRIESTE.news" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  13. ^ "Join us in celebrating International Jazz Day on April 30th with performers from Italy, Greece, Japan, Portugal, Poland and Sweden on our Embassy Jazz... | By Blues AlleyFacebook". Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2023-06-22 – via www.facebook.com.
  14. ^ "Letizia Gambi, il mio jazz partenopeo: "Con Lenny White sono stata baciata dalla fortuna"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2016-05-07. Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  15. ^ Tripodi, Marta Blumi (2017-01-09). "Il ritorno di Letizia Gambi". Musica Jazz (in Italian). Archived from the original on 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  16. ^ "Per molti americani gli italiani non sono bianchi | Rolling Stone Italia" (in Italian). 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  17. ^ "Jay Edwards Welcomes Lenny White, Letizia Gambi To Jazz Tones On WCLK". WCLK | The Jazz of The City. 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  18. ^ Track, Inside. "For Love". JAZZIZ Magazine. Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2022-07-03.