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Gabriela Anders
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Gabriella Anders
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Gabriella Anders
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Gabriella Anders - Los Dukes
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Gabriella Anders - The Ring
BIO
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, singer Gabriela Anders came to New York City as a teenager to study composition. Her father, an Argentine saxophonist who arranged for Mercer Ellington’s big band, had brought up his daughter on jazz; but Gabriela was also interested in contemporary classical music, Brazilian music and in songwriting. While still in school she began working as a bandleader and as a session singer, where she honed the skills for her subsequent career as a recording artist.
After several discs for Sony/Japan under the name “Beleza,” Gabriela made two records for Warner Brothers Jazz: “Wanting,” featuring Gabriela’s original music and production by George Duke and Anders herself, and “Gabriela,” recorded by D’Angelo engineer Russell Elevado and featuring Christian McBride & Amir “Questlove” Thompson. Subsequent releases by Gabriela, for Narada/EMI and JVC Japan, were 2004's “Last Tango In Rio,” 2009's “Bossa Beleza” and 2015’s “Cool Again.”
“Los Dukes: a Latina’s tribute to the music of Duke Ellington”
“Los Dukes” is a new project directed by singer Gabriela Anders, featuring her arrangements of songs from Duke Ellington’s catalog, each performed in a distinct Latin American style.
“Los Dukes” features some of the best Latin Jazz players on the New York scene today.
In Gabriela’s words: “There aren’t many female arrangers as role models out there right now other than Maria Schneider, but I started in the business when I was quite young and have dealt with being a ‘woman in a man’s world,’ as many of us have. I’m comfortable with it.
“With Los Dukes, we explore as many rhythms from Latin America as we can; the idea being that each song represents a tribute from a specific Latin American culture to the genius of Ellington.
“It Don’t Mean A Thing” is a Cuban salsa, “Mood Indigo” is a soft Dominican merengue, and “A Train” is a Jamaican reggae, “Caravan,” an Argentinean tango and so forth. We play “Ain’t Got Nothing But The Blues” as a Puerto Rican cha cha! All these rhythms are so very different from each other. It’s a really, really fun project.
“Because of my father, I’ve had a strong connection with Duke’s music, and after working with great Latin Jazz and Pop musicians since being in New York, the idea of combining those two things came naturally. Writing the horn and rhythm arrangements have been mind-blowing for me - it’s something I hadn’t done before, professionally. Now I’m thinking of writing for even bigger ensembles!”
Website
Quotes
All songs on ‘Last tango’ reveal a talent for engaging melodies, memorable lyrics and imaginative production. Narada has a potential winner on its hands in Anders - Don Heckman, L.A. TIMES
Anders artfully combines the distinctive voices of the bandoneon and Brazilian guitar to underwrite her sublime vocals, giving her music a touch of tango romanticism and a taste of samba cool. Anders is a multi-talented artist who is destined to leave her mark on the jazz world - BILLBOARD
Anders is wonderfully, sincerely soulful - Richard Torres, LATIN SOUNDS
Sexy, silky sounds from way down south of the border. This collection of Anders’ tunes about desiring, getting, losing and regaining of love and an appealing cover of “The girl from Ipanema” marks an especially promising US recording debut - PEOPLE