Gegè Telesforo
Singer; instrumentalist; composer; music producer; A&R Groove Master Edition; UNICEF Good Will Ambassador; but also a journalist, a television and radio personality, GeGè Telesforo represents a multifaceted professional figure, the best example of the current jazz tradition in Italy.
GeGè’s artistic endeavors began 40 years ago as drummer and jazz singer, when his incredible talent was discovered by the Italian media celebrity Renzo Arbore. Over the years, he has developed his own personal style of “scat” singing, renewing a particular form of vocal improvisation almost forgotten abroad and which has never existed in Italy.
Since the mid 80′s, GeGè has brought together the best musicians from the Italian Jazz and R&B scene (Roberto Gatto, Danilo Rea, Antonio Faraò, Stefano Di Battista, Enzo Pietropaoli, Rita Marcotulli, Dario and Alfonso Deidda, Max Ionata, Giorgia Todrani, Marco Rinalduzzi, Marco Tamburini, Amedeo Ariano, Rossana Casale, Agostino Marangolo, Francesco Puglisi, Fabio Zeppetella, Marcello Surace, Alex Gwiss, Marco Siniscalco, Max Bottini, Rocco Zifarelli, Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Mia Cooper,….), performing with them a renewal of old jazz standards and his original compositions using breathtaking arrangements and moving harmonies.
In the ‘90s , thanks to his association with Ben Sidran, pianist, singer, writer and producer, GeGè recorded for Go Jazz Records in important studios (Skyline-NYNY; Paisley Park-Minneapolis;….) with the most recognized international musicians, and his undisputed talent has been exported around the world whilst playing with The Go Jazz All Stars, and performing with such Jazz/Funk “Masters” as Jon Hendricks, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Tony Scott, DeeDee Bridgewater, Phil Woods, Bob Malach, Georgie Fame, Clyde Stubblefield, Mike Mainieri, Bob Rockwell, Richard Davis, Phil Upchurch, Ricky Peterson, Frank McComb, Alan Hampton, Sachal Vasandani, Joanna Teters……
Back in Italy, with leading bands such as PureFunkLive, Groovinators, So Cool 5tet, GeGè Telesforo has focused his musical evolution on his original jazz- funk vocal style, in which jazz elements come together with his terrific scat improvisations to form a rigorous and unmistakable rhythm dominated by groove.
He has produced several albums for his independent label -Groove Master Edition- and recorded 11 albums as an Artist and Composer.
Gege Telesforo is currently experiencing a particularly happy period in his career.
As a teacher of singing and vocal improvisation, GeGè brings his "Vocal Jazz Concept" to prestigious music schools, Conservatories, and Jazz Festivals in Italy and abroad.
Since September 2012, GeGè has been teaching Vocal Jazz and Improvisation at the Venice Voice Academy in Los Angeles (California-USA).
GeGè was appointed Good Will Ambassador of UNICEF Italy May 23 2015 for his artistic commitment to all the "Children in Danger", one of the most significant UNICEF campaigns. He’s the inventor and developer of the project SoundzForChildren, aimed at the removal of all socio-cultural obstacles that prevent a harmonious mental and physical development of children.
Big Mama Legacy
release date: March 1, 2024
Produced by | GeGè Telesforo & Roberto Ramberti
Co-produced by | Christian Mascetta
Arranged by | GeGè Telesforo – Christian Mascetta
Recorded by | Christian Mascetta @ Groove Master Studio (Sutri-Italy)
Riccardo Bomarsi @ R&B Studio (Sutri-Italy)
Mixed by | Riccardo Bomarsi – GeGè Telesforo @ R&B Studio (Sutri-Italy)
Mastered by | Luca Bulgarelli @ Bulga-Rally Studio (Roma-Italy)
Art Cover by | Bob Rambert
GeGè Telesforo: vocals; percussions; drums (Big Mama);
Christian Mascetta: el. & ac. Guitars; ukulele; backing vocals;
Michele Santoleri: drums; percussions
Vittorio Solimene: organ; Wurlitzer; piano (Right & Wrong)
Giovanni Cutello: alto sax
Matteo Cutello: trumpet
Luca Bulgarelli: double bass - el. bass (Big Mama)
Greta Panettieri: vocals (This is for You; Right and Wrong)
Danilo Rea: piano (Galaxy)
Pietro Pancella: el.bass (Galaxy)
Pasquale Strizzi: keyboards (Galaxy)
Domenico Sanna: piano (Yao–The Light Around The Corner-The Light… (Reprise)
funslowride
release date: june 24, 2016
Italian instrumentalist, composer, radio and television personality Gege (Pronounced Jay-jay) Telesforo has the world in his hands. Noted as 'Italy's foremost jazz singer' by friend and collaborator Ben Sidran, Gege has performed with greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Clyde Stubblefield, and DeeDee Bridgewater, to name but a few. Gege's broad balance as a composer and an improvisor, coupled with his deep knowledge and interest in the delightful bridge between jazz and funk, are on full display with his recent recordings. And now Leo Sidran has hipped us to Gege's newest: FUN SLOW RIDE is a collaboration with Ben Sidran, with guests Alan Hampton, Sachal Vasandani, Joanna Teters and more. FUN SLOW RIDE taps into the root and brings a thing of beauty into the world, to make it a better place.
About funslowride
There are over 20 of the best musicians and singers of the new generation involved in the creation of a visual record which is difficult to label: you only have to close your eyes in order to see the music and the lyrics come to life. Lyrics which are carefully crafted and which are able to deal with important and universal themes with an incredible lightness. A collective work which brings together different voices allowing them to sing and speak at the same time, as if they were only one voice. It is an admission of the responsibility we all have as human beings, that of leaving an important legacy for future generations. The environment, ethics, responsibilities, a parent’s love for their child, love between two human beings. Above all though, the love of music, which is the element that, above all others, forces us to explore our spirituality and permits us to affirm our identity, whilst remaining respectful and tolerant of others.