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 35 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,….

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 indipendent 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. Winning the Jazzit Award 2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015 as Best Male Vocalist, crowns an important moment marked by the release of successful CDs such as "SO COOL" (GrooveMasterEdition/EGEA 2010) "NU JOY" (COLUMBIA RECORDS /SONY MUSIC 2012), “FUN SLOW RIDE” (SAM Records/EGEA 2016), and an incredible number of prestigious concerts, including his appearance at The Shanghai World Expo Exhibition for "The Best of Italian Jazz in Shangai" with his quintet, representing Italian art and culture on the world billboard with Stefano Bollani, Danilo Rea, Paolo Fresu, Roberto Gatto, ....

Since their release on November 2012, “Nu Joy” and the hit single “Last Goodbye” have reached n.1 in both the iTunes album and single Jazz Charts-Italy. "NU JOY" was officially presented at 9 soldout live performances when the Gege Telesforo Band starred as "Resident Artist" at Umbria Jazz Winter 2012.

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). Show less