"Siren Songs"
“With her alluring mix of jazz and 1970’s soul, and slow-jam R&B, the 25-year-old Gage is in the process of honing a sophisticated sound that belies her age.” - Andrew Gilbert
First Orbit Sounds proudly announces the March 15 release of “Siren Songs”, the debut album from vocalist and composer Jackie Gage. Channeling torch singers of decades past, the San Jose native marks her arrival with a refined blend of sultry originals alongside newly arranged classic torch songs that showcases her dynamic range with hints of R&B, soul and jazz.
Produced by Gage, “Siren Songs” features Bay Area mainstays including pianist Timothy Wat, marimbist Dillon Vado, bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis. Also accompanying Gage on three tracks is a string section featuring violinists Ilana Thomas and Kristina Dutton, violist Su Buchignani and cellist Freya Seeburger.
Based on the concept on the ancient idea of a siren; the womanly figure who lures desperate sailors into treacherous waters, “Siren Songs” takes listeners on an emotive journey of love and loss, and passion and intrigue over the course of nine songs that range from pining love stories to haunting ballads. In her native San Jose, Gage was the self-described “designated torch singer” adding, “that identity fueled this debut.”
Gage, who recently relocated to New York City, has firmly made her mark in her home state with annual tours from Sacramento to San Diego. As a 2014 Jazz Search West finalist, she was awarded performances at nationally recognized venues Yoshi’s Oakland, the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley and the Sound Room in Oakland. In addition, she has performed at the Fillmore Jazz Festival, San Jose Summer Fest and Berkeley Juneteeth, among others.
The release of “Siren Songs” will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 15 at Yoshi’s Oakland in Oakland, California. Reservations for the evening, which will be a joint release show with fellow vocalist Lilan Kane, can be made by visiting yoshis.com.
NATHAN LEIGH
AFROPUNK
Those strings. That voice. These songs. On Jackie Gage's debut album Siren Songs, she establishes herself firmly as one of the most vital artists in the jazz world. It's soulful, inventive, playful, and powerful. It's a truly rare work of art. Check out the full feature here.
BILL BUCKS
SOULANDJAZZANDFUNK
The nine tracker is a well-thought out mix of standards and originals, given a unity by Jackie's warm, rich, smooth voice that shows a real maturity too even on familiar items like 'That Old Black Magic' and Mongo Santamaria's 'Afro Blue'. Full review here.
RAUL DA GAMA
JAZZ DA GAMA
Every once in a while God creates someone as near to perfection as He will allow it. Jackie Gage is once such being. She is a singer who is far in advance of her years with a flawless voice, and even more flawless diction and sensuous without being self-conscious. What is Jazz? Abbey Lincoln once asked in a song she sang on one of her last albums. Jazz is Jackie Gage. Read full review here.
JAMES NADAL
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
Jackie Gage is a determined singer who self-produced Siren Songs as a commitment toward her career in jazz. The production features a refined string quartet, augmenting the rhythm section, but the highlight is Gage's genuinely gifted vocals. Full review here.
PETER BOEHI
SMOOTH JAZZ VIBES
Singer Jackie Gage is a truly great discovery, her debut album is one of the very best albums to come my way in a long time. Jazzy, soulful, interesting, entertaining, original... I could go on. There is also a nice selection of material like "Comes Love" and a funky version of "Afro Blue" among several originals. Excellent! Read here.
GEORGE HARRIS
JAZZ WEEKLY
Jackie Gage has a husky honey of a voice, with that rare quality of being able to sound like she’s both talking and singing directly to you in a musical yet conversant style.
CAROL BANKS WEBER
AXS
The album is pure ecstasy for those who’ve experienced the exquisite heartbreak of an idyllic, ultimately illusory love. Read here.
TOM SCHNABEL
KCRW RHYTHM PLANET
A new jazz singer, Jackie Gage, follows with the wonderful, witty standard “Comes Love.” She also does a nice version of “Afro-Blue” on this new album. Read here.
CAROL BANKS WEBER
EXAMINER
The 2014 Jazz Search West finalist just may be tomorrow’s next rising jazz star with this debut album. Read here.
CHRIS SPECTOR
MIDWEST RECORD
Giving modern R&B a nice update whether hitting classics or originals, this is quite the auspicious debut. With Gage doing her thing, you don't have to bring anything to the fore other than appreciative ears ready for some smoking singing. Check it out. Read here.
LUIS RAUL MONTELLO
JAZZ CARIBE
"Jackie Gage shows her charm not only singing but composing. Romantic jazz ballads; sentimental with the familiar theme of the legendary Mongo Santamaria "Afro Blue" are part of the selection provided by Miss Gage on this debut album." Read full feature here.
COURTNEY LEIGH
MODEL BEHAVIORS
Our Woman of the Month for February is Jackie Gage! She’s a singer with a velvety rich voice, a musician who mixes elements of soul, jazz, and R&B, and a woman who believes wholeheartedly in her art and, most importantly, herself. Read the full feature and interview here.
MIKE SIMS
SLICE OF JAZZ
She does have a very easy voice which is a delight to listen to... Gage has a great voice that I can listen to for a long time... the instrumentation on this album is a masterstroke. Listen here (starts at 19:00).
WOODROW WILKINS
THE JAZZ WRITER
Jackie Gage uses a mix of styles as well as fresh arrangements, a few lesser-known songs and new compositions to establish herself as one who stands apart with, Siren Songs. Read here.
JIM BURLONG
JAZZ VIEWS
Her vocal style is full of soul, jazz sensibility and engagement, allowing her to convey torch songs and ballads with equal aplomb. Her clear diction, control and wide vocal range are well demonstrated on the Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer classic "That Old Black Magic" and the superb jazz standard "Afro Blue" where she takes an unusual light and engaging approach. Read here.