Giacomo Gates Trio

“Giacomo Gates is a solid example of a performer who is doing something that no one else does. He evokes an age (that I would hope is not so terribly bygone) when musicians were entertainers and entertainers were musicians, and a sense of humor was as important as a sense of rhythm.” — Will Friedwald

Giacomo Gates is one of the best old-school male jazz singers working today. Gates has two #1 records, ten internationally released recordings, performed at festivals and clubs in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, & Russia…making many return performances.

“Giacomo Gates does more than sing ‘a bunch of songs.’ He is truly an entertainer, for all ages and styles, as audiences enjoy the music, the interaction on the bandstand between him and his musicians, the spontaneity, the humor, the stories about the music and composers, along with their relation to everyday life. People are smiling, having a good time, while thoroughly enjoying the music. What usually lacks in most of today’s performances is obviously present … fun!” Jackie Simmons

Bassist – Phil Bowler attended the University of Hartford, where he received a bachelor’s degree in music in 1972. He played with Roland Kirkfrom 1976–78, then with Hugh Masekela (1980), Joe Lee Wilson (1981). He went on to play with jazz greats such as : Wynton Marsalis , Big Nick Nicholas, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, and Ralph Peterson, Jr. He played in a quintet with Donald Harrison and Terence Blanchard And began touring in Europe with the amazing Benny Golson. He worked with Jackie McLean locally and with The Newman Taylor Baker duo in 1997, and in 1998 he worked with the Count Basie Orchestra.

Bowler hosted Jazz Adventures on WPKN radio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and performed with Artt Frank and Mike Armando from 1999–2009. In 2002 Bowler hosted the MJA Jazz & Blues Festival at Lake Grove, Long Island, New York.

Pianist – Tomoko Ohno, born in Tokyo, began piano studies at the age of 4. As a teenager, she began playing professionally in the Tokyo area jazz scene.

After graduating from Rikkyo University in Law and Politics, Miss Ohno moved to the United States and entered the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where she studied with Harold Mabern and Rufus Reid. During this time she had the opportunity to perform with such artists as Jerome Richardson, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson and Joe Henderson. A recipient of the Student Award of Outstanding Performance and a member of Dean’s List, Miss Ohno graduated with a B.A. in Jazz Studies.

She has performed at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital, Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note, Birdland, in addition to appearing on live radio broadcasts by WBGO and WNYC, and ABC TV’s Good Morning America. She has performed and/or recorded with Slide Hampton, Claudio Roditi, James Spaulding, Houston Person, James Spaulding, Rufus Reid, Scott Robinson, The John Lee Quartet, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band and Sherrie Maricle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, Diva Five Play, Jay Leonhart trio, Jay 7, as well as working as a side musician with such diverse musical ensembles as the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and The Spirit of Life Ensemble.