Black Gardenia - Record Launch - March 20th & 21st
Schedule
Fri, 20 Mar, 2026 at 08:00 pm to Sat, 21 Mar, 2026 at 11:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Frankie's Jazz Club | Vancouver, BC
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Come celebrate the launch of Black Gardenia’s NEW album 'Whisky Scented Kisses',
officially out on Cellar Live, April 3rd, 2026.
This long-awaited record is a collection of six original tunes by vocalist and bandleader Daphne Roubini, in collaboration with Chris Davis, Paul Pigat, Stephen Nikleva, and Noah Walker, alongside an unpublished gem from the 1950s and two standards in tribute to Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson.
Join us and be the first to get your signed vinyl or CD!
Line-up:
Daphne Roubini—vocals/bandleader
Paul Pigat—guitar
Stephen Nikleva—guitar
Jeremy Holmes—bass
Dave Say—sax
Brad Turner—trumpet
Tickets HERE [and scroll down to date]
https://frankiesjazzclub.turntabletickets.com/
"Transporting listeners to a time of martinis, and lounge suits…
the fact that Roubini’s originals are indistinguishable among the stacked line-up is the biggest compliment of all.”
Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
'Lucky Star' - 2017 (#2 on the Canadian national !Earshot charts)
Find out MORE...
“Whisky Scented Kisses” (Cellar Live)
– Release Dates
Full-length album: April 3, 2026
Single one: January 23, 2026
Single two: February 27, 2026
About
Daphne Roubini’s sound is the essence of Black Gardenia—a voice rooted in the phrasing of classic jazz yet touched by her own distinctive style. Her delivery is tender and powerful in equal measure. A Vancouver International Jazz Festival Spotlight Artist, she has performed at the festival many times and has appeared at the storied Winnipeg Folk Festival and Vancouver Folk Festival, including on the main stage. Featured in The Georgia Straight, The Province, The Globe and Mail, CBC, CTV, and other local press, Roubini is both a recognized voice in Vancouver’s jazz and folk scenes and an artist in motion.
Their forthcoming 2026 release, 'Whisky Scented Kisses' (Cellar Live), marks Black Gardenia’s finest work yet. Here, Roubini embraces a more expansive palette: lush horn arrangements crafted by Paul Pigat, six original songs co-written with band members, a never-before-published gem, and two standards paying tribute to Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson. Inspired by the classic jazz recordings of the 1940s and 1950s, Black Gardenia creates music that feels timeless—vintage in spirit and alive with modern nuance.
“We wanted to capture the tunes we’ve been performing since our last album, Lucky Star (2017), which reached #2 on the Canadian national !Earshot charts, while also stretching out by including more original compositions. We love reinterpreting jazz classics and keeping those tunes alive, and with 'Whisky Scented Kisses' we boldly hope to add our own songs to the jazz repertoire of the future.” —Daphne Roubini
Each member of the band is a celebrated artist in their own right, bringing a wealth of experience from Canada’s top stages and beyond:
Paul Pigat (Cousin Harley, The Smoking Jackets) – guitarist, arranger, and musical director of Black Gardenia. A virtuoso player, he has worked with Neko Case, Carolyn Mark, Michael Kaeshammer, Ndidi Onukwulu, Jim Byrnes, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
Stephen Nikleva (Petunia & the Vipers) – an adventurous guitarist whose credits span Sarah McLachlan, Dan Mangan, Ray Condo, and Lache Cercel, blending roots, swing, and world influences.
Jeremy Holmes (The Barnstormer Band, Terminal Station) – a first-call bassist across jazz, roots, and blues, known for his rock-solid groove and versatility. Notable collaborations include Alison Russell, Jill Barber, Steve Dawson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, John Boutté, and Cousin Harley.
Brad Turner – one of Canada’s most acclaimed jazz musicians, decorated with multiple Juno Awards and the Order of Canada, with collaborations including Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Kenny Wheeler, and John Scofield.
Dave Say (Vancouver Jazz Orchestra) – a dynamic saxophonist and stalwart of Vancouver’s jazz scene, whose lyrical playing has made him one of the city’s most in-demand horn players.
Looking forward to seeing you at the show!
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Where is it happening?
Frankie's Jazz Club, 733 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2M4, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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