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“An impressive performance from a sophisticated young singer. Her voice has real character. Powerfully sultry and expertly handled” Jazz Journal International.
“A wide vocal range, warm timbre and clear diction which she uses skilfully to unveil her moods. It’s clear that she’s already found her own voice.”
All About Jazz, USA
Her influences are many and include Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Sheila Jordan and Roberta Gambarini. For her original pieces Zoë finds much of her creative inspiration from songwriters as diverse as Bob Dylan to David Frishberg.
Zoe is well deserving of the respect that she has been receiving from many leading jazz instrumentalists and publications. She has received touring support from Jazz Services and has performed with some of the UK top jazz musicians, including Louis Stewart, Jim Mullen Organ Trio, Dave Newton, Alan Barnes and Tony Faulkner.
In Jan 2007, Zoë recorded her debut album ‘Now That I am Real‘ with arrangements by the renowned drummer Tony Faulkner. This album has received radio play from Courtney Pine’s Jazz Crusade on BBC Radio 2, Spain, UK, Australia, U.S.A, Belgium, and France and 
from BBC Radio Ulster in Northern Ireland
In December 2013 “Twelve Stories” was released, a powerful collection of songs with a strong narrative, delivered with a commanding mix of musical sophistication and dramatic edge. The original material composed by Zoë Gilby, her husband and Double Bassist Andy Champion and Guitarist Mark Williams, is an engaging repertoire of story telling and atmosphere. The contemporary covers are an adventurous blend from Kate Bush to Pink Floyd and the sensitive treatment to a couple of jazz standards, completes this particular “story-book” and she performed many of the numbers at Jazznights with the Roger Odell Trio who were:
Roger Odell – Drums
Roger was one of the founder members and drummer with the jazz-funk group Shakatak 
and the forerunner band Tracks. Roger has toured internationally and recorded numerous CDs, which he continues to do on a regular basis to this day. Apart from a great power drummer he is also a prestigious arranger. Musically, his first love was always straight-ahead contemporary jazz, and in the past he has played with many of the great names on the UK scene including Don Rendell, Barbara Thompson, Dick Morrissey, Terry Smith, Joe Harriott and countless others. Roger is the author of three technical articles which appeared in the international magazine Modern Drummer.
Bernie Hodgkins – Double Bass Inspired by an uncle, who played and recorded with 
Django Reinhart and Stephane Grappelli in the legendary Quintet de Hot Club of France,Bernie grew up in a Jazz-oriented family.Their influence led him to become a respected bass player behind such people as Matt Munroe,Dickie Valentine and Dennis Lotus, in the early stages of his career. Bernie is particularly acknowledged as being one of the few players to bring an authentic, driving jazz feel to both the double bass and the bass-guitar, and for his fluent and creative soloing. Tonight Bernie was playing his 5 string double bass with the extra C string.
Simon Brown – Piano
Simon’s piano playing has long been the sound accompaniment of first choice for 
nationally and internationally known jazz stars appearing at Jazznights as well as Norfolk’s two leading jazz venues, He is also an accomplished soloist in his own right, blending vivacity and creative attack with often gentle lyricism. His influences are Oscar Peterson, Nat “King” Cole and Bill Evans. Since graduating from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in 1990, Simon has worked as a performer, teacher of piano and music arranger and regularly appears at the most popular jazz clubs in East Anglia. His involvement in Blues, Jazz and Jazz-Funk combos have led to appearances at many jazz festivals and has shared the billing with the likes of Jools Holland, The James Taylor Quartet, Stacey Kent and Bobby Wellins apart from his regular performances as a primary member of the Jazznights Roger Odell Trio.
Larraine Odell – vocals
Beginning her professional singing career with the group CMU with whom she recorded 
two albums, Larraine performed at numerous venues throughout the UK and Europe, including the Purcell Room, RFH. Boxford Fleece & Ronnie Scott’s.Larraine possesses a unique smouldering tonal quality and a subtle jazz phrasing style that has elicited great praise from two of her own vocal mentors, Mark Murphy and Sheila Jordan. “A sensitive singer who exudes a fine-honed jazz sensibility with every phrase.” She has since appeared at Ronnie Scott’s Club as a member of the group Jimpster, at the Boxford Fleece with pianist Steve Lodder, most of the other jazz clubs in the region, and at the Aldeburgh, Layer Marney and Southwold Jazz Festivals.
Larraine Odell opened the first set with:
1. Arthur Altman and Jack Lawrence’s 1940 All or Nothing At All
2. Green Dolphin Street (originally entitled “Green Dolphin Street”) is a 1947 popular song composed by Bronislaw Kaper.
3. Don’t go to Strangers – music by Arthur Kent with David A Mann and Lyrics from Redd Evans.
4. Love Is Here to Stay which was the last song George Gershwin composed, lyrics were by Ira Gershwin.
Zoë Gilby then joined the trio with her first set which included:
5. Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) is often considered to be the first recorded bossa nova song composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim although Zoe did sing it in English not Portuguese. 
6. Just Squeeze Me (But Don’t Tease Me) (1941) AKA Just Squeeze Me or Squeeze Me with Music by Duke Ellington and Lyrics from Lee Gaines.
7. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s 1940 It Never Entered My Mind.
8. Time After Time (1947) by Jule Styne with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. This was sung beautifully in the inimitable Chet Baker style.
9. A bossa nova version of the Cole Porter 1930 Love For Sale.
Following the interval and the Jazznights raffle of 3 jazz cd’s and bottle of wine Zoë Gilby then re-joined the Jazznights Trio for the second set which included:
10. Travelin’ Blues, which debuted as an instrumental on the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s album Time In, then appearing again on their collaborative live album with Carmen McRae, with lyrics by Iola Brubeck.
11. Your Words written by Zoë Gilby which featured on Zoe’s album Looking Glass
12. Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster’s Secret Love sung as two versions, the first in the slow Doris Day style followed by a more up-tempo version in the Carmen McRae style truly showing Zoe’s great versatility.
13. Caravan which is the well known jazz standard composed by Juan Tizol and first performed by Duke Ellington in 1936. Irving Mills wrote the lyrics. Barney Bigard and His Jazzopaters first introduced “Caravan” on the Variety label in December, 1936.
14. In It Together another composition by Zoe Gilby which is featured on her latest CD Twelve Stories.
15. Halfway to Heaven by the American artist Mary Jo Mundy featured on her 2007 album of the same name.
16. In 1943 Duke Ellington and His Orchestra introduced Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me with featured vocalist Al Hibbler. The record became a best-selling rhythm and blues hit and appeared on the R&B charts in early 1944, climbing all the way to number one where it would stay for eight weeks.
17. Centerpiece is a 1958 jazz standard, usually performed in a swing style but tonight was played as a 12 bar blues which was a great finale featuring all the band.
This was a fantastic gig and as Zoe and the trio obviously enjoyed playing with each other we are sure we will see Zoe back at Jazznights in due course. Zoë has been making a real impression on the jazz scene today and we shall all hear much more from her in the future.
SIMON BATES (saxes) will be at Jazznights on Sunday 2nd Feb at The Cock Inn, Clare.
He is in great demand on the session scene – his playing features on countless adverts, 
film scores, theme tunes and recordings – Simon is one of the country’s leading saxophonists and appears regularly at Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Cafe, 606 Club, the Bull’s Head and the finest jazz clubs and festivals worldwide. “Wonderful playing. You stole the show!” John Dankworth.
Simon will be playing with the Roger Odell Jazznights Trio and vocalist Larraine Odell. You should not miss this gig at The Cock Inn, 3, Callis Street, Clare, Suffolk, CO10 8PX
But book early – All for £10.00 – see you there.
8pm start. Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or by email at info@jazz-nights.com
For further information and future gigs go to www.jazz-nights.com
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