A Mother's Day Tribute: Gabrielle Stravelli Presents "Beautiful Moons Ago"

Join JazzBuffalo for an unforgettable Mother's Day celebration on Sunday at 4 pm, featuring the debut Buffalo performance of the sensational Gabrielle Stravelli. Known for her tremendous swing feel and unparalleled gift for lyric interpretation, Gabrielle is a true masterful interpreter of jazz standards and the Great American Songbook. She has earned a reputable stature as one of the world's leading interpreters of the American Songbook, celebrated for her driving swing and sophisticated, lyrical readings of love songs. Residing in New York City, Stravelli performs not just well-known classics but lesser-known gems from the vaults of the canon.

"Ms. Stravelli’s emotional intelligence coincides with a phenomenal voice that she wields with an easygoing confidence and impeccable taste." - The New York Times

This event is not only a musical performance—it’s a heartfelt tribute to mothers and a celebration of the enduring magic of jazz and the Great American Songbook.

“As a performer, Ms. Stravelli is a remarkable package, with an engaging voice, an ineffable sense of swing, and a superior musical intelligence, which comes out in her choice of songs as well as the specific interpretations thereof.” - The New York Sun

Gabrielle's accomplishments speak for themselves. In the past year, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops Orchestra and released her fifth album, Beautiful Moons Ago. Beautiful Moons Ago beautifully encapsulates the idea of cherished memories that stand the test of time—each phase of the moon symbolizes a unique moment in our lives. Much like the recurring lunar cycles that light up our nights, the phrase reminds us of the enduring and radiant memories we create with our loved ones. This makes it a perfect tie-in for Mother's Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the timeless bonds and treasured moments shared with the special women in our lives.

“Dream Ago,” her 2017 release which consists primarily of original material, received a rare 5-star review from Downbeat Magazine, and her 2019 release “Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson” was featured by noted music critic Will Friedwald in the WSJ and awarded the 2020 Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording.

Stravelli regularly leads her trio or quartet at the country’s finest jazz clubs and performing arts centers and has headlined prestigious domestic and international festivals such as the Delaware Water Gap COTA Festival (2023 & 2024), Cape Cod Jazz Festival (2023), Cayman Arts Festival (2023), WBGO Jazz on the Mountain Festival (2024, ’21, ’18), Providencia Jazz Festival in Chile (2019), and the Eleuthera Jazz Festival in the Bahamas (2016). In 2022 she sold out Birdland’s main room with the New York debut of “Mel & Ella Swing!”, her new show with pianist/singer Billy Stritch.

“Listening to the jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli is like imbibing a potent cocktail whose flavor changes as you drain the glass….she dipped and swooped, twirling notes and phrases with a confidence and playfulness that recalled Ella Fitzgerald in her prime…” -The New York Times

Her star power extends to remarkable collaborations with world-renowned jazz pianist Fred Hersch—premiering his song cycle Rooms of Light, filming an online masterclass for OpenStudio.com, and recording a new song cycle set for release this month. Gabrielle has also toured the U.S., premiering Abyssinian with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. As a U.S. State Department "Jazz Ambassador" since 2015, she has shared her artistry across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Adding to this extraordinary lineup, Gabrielle will be joined on stage by the remarkable pianist Michael Kanan and the illustrious bassist Pat O'Leary. Michael Kanan is celebrated for his virtuosic improvisation and innovative harmonic sense, qualities that have made him one of the most sought-after talents in modern jazz. His dynamic career, which includes performances at top-tier jazz clubs and festivals, has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following. In 2001, Michael became the accompanist and arranger for Jane Monheit. With Monheit's group, he has toured worldwide, recorded several CDs and DVDs, and made many TV appearances, including Letterman and Conan.

Alongside him, Pat O'Leary brings a deep, soulful tone and impeccable timing that anchors every performance. With extensive experience performing with leading jazz artists both nationally and internationally, Pat’s resonant presence and sophisticated playing elevate the entire ensemble. Patrick O’Leary has toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, and Japan with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Also with Hampton, he recorded the Grammy-nominated Sentimental Journey (Atlantic). O’Leary has recorded with Mel Lewis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jerry Bergozi, and Scott Robinson. Other artists with whom O’Leary has played include Diana Krall, James Moody, Junior Cook, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Barry Harris, Junior Mance, Joe Williams, and Marlena Shaw. He regularly appears at The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, the Iridium, and has recently performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall.

This special Mother's Day event is a unique opportunity to experience the captivating magic of swing and the timeless elegance of jazz standards, all brought to life by one of today's foremost interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Celebrate with us as Gabrielle Stravelli graces the stage, creating an atmosphere of warmth, joy, and community—a true gift for mothers and jazz enthusiasts alike.

“Truly special. Gabrielle Stravelli is an absolute arresting talent…” — Buffalo News

Read Jeff Simon's review in the Buffalo News of Stravelli's Dreams Ago from 2017:

https://buffalonews.com/entertainment/gabrielle-stravelli-an-arresting-jazz-talent-emerges/article_0747ff91-3982-516c-9eed-ba877f42c29d.html

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