Hot jazz takes the chill out of winter

Grammy winner Jennifer Gasoi and accomplished pianist Chad Linsley at the Cummings Centre

By Mary-Ann Lacey

On a chilly January evening the sold-out audience at the Cummings Centre was delighted by the musical offerings of the multi-talented musician, composer and vocalist Jennifer Gasoi. The equally talented musician Chad Linsley accompanied her on piano. This dynamic duo has won several music awards individually and is now collaborating on concerts in Montreal.

The concert opened with the jazz standard It Had To Be You and several popular jazz standards followed. Duke Ellington’s 1931 composition It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that swing) featured Jennifer realistically imitating a trumpet solo with her voice alone. Dedicating the song Side by Side to her parents on their 50th wedding anniversary, she had the audience singing along. For the Yiddish titled song Bie Mir Bist Du Shane Jennifer played the melodica. The audience eagerly participated after being taught a series of hand gestures that Jennifer learned at camp during the song Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

This dynamic duo has won several music awards individually and is now collaborating on concerts in Montreal.

A rousing medley of Rock Around the Clock and Blue Suede Shoes had Jennifer dancing with an audience member and Chad performing a Jerry Lee Lewis styled piano solo. Although a jazz pianist foremost, Chad easily integrates a variety of musical styles from classical to rag time while maintaining a steady walking baseline throughout his complex improvised piano solos.

Jennifer Gasoi at the Upstairs Jazz Bar

Jennifer played piano on a couple of songs, her original comedic composition Café in Paris and on the Hebrew song Hine ma tov u’ma na-im (translation: Behold how good and how pleasing / for people to sit together in unity). When asked about this song Jennifer said “When I perform, no matter what the age group, my goal is to bring people together; to create connection, community and to uplift and inspire. I find that community singing, especially when we sing songs that people know so well, is powerful and healing.”

She closed the show with a cheery sing along to Aux Champs-Élysées by Joe Dassin. After a standing ovation the organizer of the event announced that they would present Jennifer and Chad again in March and the date is to be confirmed.

The performers were asked about their future projects and their collaboration. Here are their answers:

Chad Linsley

I work with a lot of choirs around the city including The Lyric Theatre Singers, Concordia Jazz Choir, Beaconsfield United Church, L’Ensemble Vocal les Nanas, and DivertisSon. With my busy teaching schedule at Vanier College and McGill University, it’s such a wonderful feeling to get an evening to play some jazz with Jennifer. I think both our lives have been profoundly punctuated by jazz!

Have you collaborated musically before and in what capacity?

In 2017, I was thrilled to play some children’s shows with Jennifer and her band. Not only does she write great songs in a variety of styles but I also got to wear a cowboy hat, sing backup, and play the melodica!

Do you have any shows coming up in the future together?

I certainly hope we’ll be back at The Cummings Centre. Terrific audience! If you have a piano at home that’s feeling lonely or would like to have more music in your life, we do house concerts!

Jennifer Gasoi

What are your future projects?

I’m currently writing music for a new project. I’m also revisiting my musical roots and exploring jazz again, through workshops, practice and listening to the masters. In the first 12 years of my career I sang primarily jazz and then segued into kids music. I always strive to keep my creative life interesting and continue to push myself musically and creatively.

Have you collaborated musically before and in what capacity?

Chad and I have collaborated several times. He has performed as one of the band members in some of my kids shows and we’ve also done several jazz gigs together. Not only is Chad an excellent musician but he has the kind of playful energy that I so appreciate. For me, the combination of skill, creativity and passion is always what I look for when I work with musicians.

Do you have any shows coming up in the future together?

Please stay tuned for upcoming shows in the spring at jennifergasoi.com/shows

I feel grateful to sing these masterful jazz standards for an audience that so appreciates them. The room was packed at the Cummings Centre that night and there wasn’t a cell phone in sight. Now that is refreshing!

Jennifer Gasoi and Chad Linsley performed at the Cummings Centre on January 15.

Feature image: courtesy of the Cummings Centre
Other images: courtesy of Jennifer Gasoi

Image: Ron Harris

UPCOMING CONCERT

Mary-Ann Lacey Jazz Quartet at La Petite Marche

Friday, January 24
from 8 pm to 10 pm

With John Kerkhoven, harmonica; Sylvain Lebuis, piano; Paul Van Dyk, bass and Mary-Ann Lacey, voice and percussion.

La Petite Marche
5035 St-Denis, Montréal
lapetitemarche.ca

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