Gloria West & The Gents is everywhere, from The Vinoy and Annata downtown to Dunedin and Tampa.
Lucky for beach residents, this gorgeous lady with the pretty pipes performs regularly at Chill’s on Wednesday and Sunday, usually accompanied by Tony Castellano. With drink specials, craft beers and an amazing wine list, Gloria’s gigs are well-attended, so get there early for a nosh.
PN: You’re at Chills quite a bit on Wednesday night —what are your dates there going forward.
Gloria West: “We’ll be there Sundays: October 14th & 28th and Wednesdays October 10th & 24th.”
West started concentrating on jazz full time around 2014. “My fire and passion was so strong for it, that it was a no-brainer, I’d already gotten very good at booking my eclectic acoustic duos all over the area, so my guts were pretty tough lol!”
Her love of jazz standards drives her to introduce the music to St. Pete and the world. “So many people around don’t know what jazz really is, and I like to show them how it began and how happy it makes people to listen to it! It takes you out of whatever is going on in your life and brings you to a place of joy,” says West. “You get sucked in and reminisce to back in the day even if you’re not old enough to have been alive then! My slogan is “Jazz for the Masses” and that’s the plan!”
West even tried out for “The Voice” and “American Idol” before she started singing jazz. “I made it to round 3 of “AGT”, round 1 of “The Voice”, and round 2 of “American Idol.”
Her “Old School Stride-Swing Jazz With A Sultry Twist!” fills every venue she plays and her new full band studio album debuted early this year. www.GloriaWestMusic.com/music
She’s performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2015 and on tour around Florida and even a NYC private party for a corporation, and would love to travel and perform out of town.
Her fans clamor for more.” Even when I do a slow song or a sad song, I still try to do it in a way that has a hint of “happy” in it, so it doesn’t bring you down. If you come to a 4-5 piece band show, it REALLY IS and old-school jazz PARTY!!
PN asked Gloria how did all this night music get started. www.GloriaWestMusic.com/events
PN: How did you get started singing?
Gloria West: I used to do karaoke, terrified and shaking, with my sister and brother-in-law. One night I went out with the guy I was dating from the golf course I worked at and there was karaoke that night, so I got up and sang a song. He couldn’t believe I was working at a golf course instead of singing, so he ganged up on me with my family.
They convinced me to give it a shot even though I have terrible stage fright and didn’t think I could ever get past it. They said if it didn’t work, I could always stop, but I had to at least try. So I went on craigslist and found a country band that was looking for a lead singer and frontman. That was 2011 lol!
PN: What’s your dream? What are your favorite bands, musicians?
Gloria West: Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Mildred Bailey. I have so many more that I absolutely adore from the 1920’s-40’s, but that list would go on for a while lol!
PN: You write a lot of original music. Tell us a bit about your songwriting.
Gloria West: I was very surprised when it came to fruition. I still don’t really know how to “sit down” and write a song. My originals on the album came from the notepad on my phone where I type my thoughts and feelings. I write in a poetic way with lines rhyming and flowing together, so it was actually pretty easy to take some notes and keep them in the same order as they were written years ago and all of the sudden they’re song lyrics!
It’s been a beautiful process and I created the melodies with my Piano Player, Stephen Dornfeld and Producer, David Pezza. I’d say: “this one feels like a Billie tune” and Stephen would just play something while I was humming something and it flew together like it had always been together and so quickly! I look forward to “writing” more for future albums!!
PN: What would you like to record and why from another artist?
Gloria West: I have cover songs currently on my album mixed in with my originals. Some are old jazz and some are pop songs! If we’re talking about future recordings, I absolutely LOVE Melody Gardot, and would love to make an album at some point with her silky smooth sounds and International flair!
PN: Who is in your band now?
Gloria West: I have a rotating cast of “characters” aka Gents haha!! But the ones I play with the most would be Anthony Castellano on Piano and he also sings just like Louis Armstrong, so we do some duets together as well. I have James Suggs on trumpet, which if you’ve ever heard him, you KNOW who he is; a true aficionado! Glenn Stevenson is on Upright Bass and he radiates good vibes and great (dat) bass (doh)!! Paul Gavin is on drums and he could do the whole show himself and people would still be screaming for joy!! I am truly blessed with all of my Gents including those not mentioned here. We got to have the best of the best on the album as well!!
PN: Tell us about your big New Year’s Eve gig.
Gloria West: We’re playing at the Historic St. Pete Coliseum for the 11th Annual “Swingin’ The New Year”! Balloon drop at midnight, guests are encouraged to dress up in period attire or just fancy, and 1000+ people!! We’ll have an 8pc band including a 3pc horn section, baby grand, upright bass, drums, jazz guitar, and myself on vocals and Anthony doing some duets with me! I already know it’ll be my favorite NYE thus far! PN
Article & Interview by Nanette Wiser