Bio

Music

Gerri DiMaggio’s take on jazz is as original as it is enticing. Her music is a sultry mix of Brazilian melodies along with a fresh blend of Jazz standards. The Latin sounds invite the audience into her own creative and colorful world.

Throughout the music Gerri displays an emotional intelligence and musical sophistication that honors the traditions of Jazz and Latin rhythms telling stories with tones of sadness and bittersweet joy.

Gerri’s first cd “In Summer” received glowing reviews nationally. David Lewis of Cadence wrote “…singer Gerri DiMaggio could be on the verge of reaching a far wider audience judging from the maturity of expression evident throughout” (her recording) and Jazz artist and historian Richard Davis writes “Gerri DiMaggio rates with the best of them. It is now time for the national and international arena. She caresses each syllable as if it is a song within itself. Her two original compositions ‘Its Hip’ and ‘Meditation Prayer’ certainly exemplify another gift she possesses”

Kevin Lynch of Madison’s Capital Times continues, “A fluid excursion through romantic standards hip Jazz tunes, Latin music, and spiritually inspired music, DiMaggio’s hip subtle phrasing and warm tone reflect an admitted influence from the magisterial Shirley Horn”.

PERFORMANCE

Gerri has performed as guest artist with John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra at “Concert on the Green” where she featured two of the songs from her CD “Comes Love” with the full orchestra.
She was also the featured artist with Andrew Sewell and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performing a Jazz program at the popular outdoor “Concerts on the Square”. The show was recorded and played on Public Television as part of a live music series.

Gerri and her band have performed at the International Telluride Jazz Festival in Colorado, Mantova Italy for their Spring Music Festival, The Jimmy Kimmel Italian Festival “Feast of LA” in Los Angeles and she frequently performs at the Isthmus Jazz Festival, Jazz at Five and festivals and clubs throughout the country.

Background

A native of Madison Wisconsin, Gerri studied music and voice at the University of Wisconsin, and Jazz studies with the venerated Professor of Bass and Jazz history Richard Davis. A major presence in the Madison music scene, she was one of the original producers of the outdoor summer Jazz series “Jazz at Five” and as music director and promoter brought to the stage International Jazz artists Kurt Elling and Laurence Hobgood, Joe Sample, Sheila Jordan, Sonny Fortune, Karryn Allison, Richard Davis, Ben Sidran, John Hicks, and David Hazeltine among many other local and national performers.