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Gina Saputo
By the age of 15, Gina Saputo was already commanding the stage in the jazz clubs of her native Springfield, Oregon. A prodigy who began classical training at 8 and landed her first paying gig at 11, Gina's early passion for jazz set her on a path of extraordinary success. She pursued jazz studies at the University of Southern California on a scholarship and further honed her craft at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute, now known as the Herbie Hancock Institute.
Gina’s career is a testament to her multifaceted talent and dedication. As an internationally celebrated jazz performer, recording artist, and session singer, she is also a sought-after clinician, model, actress, and author. Her impressive resume includes co-directing the Applied Music program at Santa Monica College, where she also served as the department equity coach, driving initiatives to foster inclusive practices. Her role as an award-winning full-time instructor at Musicians Institute in Hollywood for 8 years underscores her commitment to both performance and education.
Her latest project, the “Women Talk” EP, received critical acclaim upon its digital release in December 2023. Gina's album "Duetto," released on Swingfest Records in October 2019, soared to #4 on the iTunes Jazz Charts. Her collaboration with Jeff Goldblum, featured on his Decca Records album, showcased her talent alongside industry giants like Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Inara George, and Gregory Porter. The upcoming record, “Daydream,” set for release in 2024, promises to further her remarkable trajectory.
Globally renowned, Gina has toured with jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Jack Sheldon, gracing stages at iconic venues and festivals including headlining Club Nokia at LA Live, the Savannah Jazz Festival, and the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival to name a few. Her performances have captivated audiences across Asia, the Middle East, Canada, Europe, and the US, earning her standing ovations wherever she goes.
Her debut album, "Swingin’ on a Star," received rave reviews and reached #3 on Japan’s Swing Journal charts, while her promotional release "Live at the Omni," featuring saxophone virtuoso Plas Johnson, further solidified her place in the jazz world. Gina’s 12-year collaboration with Jeff Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, along with her performances at venues like The Rockwell in Los Feliz and The Blue Note in Hawaii and Milan, highlight her versatility and enduring appeal. She was also a featured vocalist for Disneyland's longest-running swing orchestra, showcasing her talent at events such as the Royal Swing Ball and Disney’s exclusive Club 33.
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Jazz Pianist George Kahn Releases 8th Album - "Jazz & Blues Revue” Featuring Singers Courtney Lemmon, Gina Saputo And Crystal Starr
Source:
Imaginary Friends
Jazz pianist George Kahn feels his fans are ready for a change, so he formed the Jazz & Blues Revue. More than just another jazz ensemble this time around, the Jazz & Blues Revue brings three of the best singers in Los Angeles together to perform unique arrangements of jazz standards along with other well-known songs, in a wonderful blend of Jazz, R&B and Soul. Singer Courtney Lemmon has appeared on several of George’s albums and most recently released her ...
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The George Kahn Trio Performs With Guest Vocalist Gina Saputo March 6
Source:
Imaginary Friends
Los Angeles favorite, Jazz Pianist George Kahn will be performing at Vitello’s in Studio City, on Wednesday, March 6th. Appearing along with George, will be Special Guest, Singer Gina Saputo. The trio will be rounded out Dan Lutz on bass and Jack LeCompte on drums. There will be one set only, starting at 8 PM. There is a $15. Cover and there are student tickets available (call the club for information). UPSTAIRS AT VITELLO’S JAZZ CLUB 4349 Tujunga ...
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“Street wise like Carmen McRae
yet as strong as Sarah Vaughan.”
— Jazz Weekly 2025
“At times she attacks her tone like a horn, coming from far away and moving past you like a New York taxi or a rainstorm passing overhead in the night. Politano’s piano offers a gentle bed for Saputo, with an understanding that jazz at its best uses the space in between the four walls of the room, remaining organic and never sterile.”
— WIlliam KennedyEugene Weekly
“‘I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This’ picks up where ‘The Capitol Studios Sessions’ left off, and brings with it even more unexpected collaborations than the first, including Miley Cyrus, Sharon Van Etten, Anna Calvi, and the sublime Gina Saputo, who we described in our review as using her voice as an instrument indistinguishable from those in the orchestra. Saputo is the only unsigned artist on the record – it’s our hope that the success of this album will mean a change in fortune for her, if that’s what she wants.”
Primary Instrument
Vocals
Location
Portland
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Voice: Intermediate to Professional – Training in all genres with focus on vocal health, creativity & artistic development.
Also ensemble/band coaching, composing, arranging, theory, aural skills, jazz history & piano.
Courses and Clinics:
Santa Monica College Co-director of Applied Music Program, Equity Coach, Adjunct Professor , Master Classes, 2019-2023( full course list available upon request)
Ernestine Anderson
vocals
Sonny Rollins
saxophone
Frank Sinatra
vocals
Clifford Brown
trumpet
Ella Fitzgerald
vocals
Carmen McRae
vocals
Charles Mingus
bass, acoustic
Thelonious Monk
piano
Sarah Vaughan
vocals
Dinah Washington
vocalsMusic
Boogie Woogie Christmas Party
From: Holiday SoiréeBy Gina Saputo
Videos
Gina Saputo
Location: Portland
Instrument: Vocals
Management: Corniche Entertainment
