Singer Georgia Mancio (left) is to present and perform at a series of high profile gigs next month at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in London from Wednesday 22-Sunday 26 September. Mancio was recently nominated for best vocalist at the London Festival Fringe Jazz Awards following the release of her third album Silhouette in June.

The five-day programme includes appearances by the duo of Maria Pia De Vito and Huw Warren with support from Georgia Mancio and Nigel Price (22 September); Karin Krog with Ross Stanley (piano), Mark Hodgson (bass), Dave Ohm (drums) plus Georgia Mancio and Kate Williams (23); Rebecca Parris with Ross Stanley (piano), Mark Hodgson (bass), Dave Ohm (drums) plus Georgia Mancio and Dave Colton (24); Rebecca Parris plus Georgia Mancio and Ian Shaw (25); culminating with David Linx / Diederik Wissels plus Georgia Mancio and Tim Lapthorn (26).

Maria Pia De Vito is best known in the UK for her work with composer and big band leader Colin Towns and she has been touring extensively in Italy with pianist Huw Warren more recently. Classic jazz singer Karin Krog is a revered figure in her native Norway with a career stretching back to 1955. In the 70s she recorded albums with among others Archie Shepp, Red Mitchell and John Surman. Sweet Talker – The Best of Karin Krog appeared five years ago and over the course of these two CDs reprised some highlights from her extensive and distinguished discography. Rebecca Parris’ recording career dates back to the mid-1980s and highlights of the Massachusetts-born singer’s career include the 1994 album It’s Another Day with vibes player and composer Gary Burton. Her more recent album You Don’t Know Me features Burton as a guest on three tracks, and also includes guest spots by saxophonists Houston Person and Jerry Bergonzi.
– Stephen Graham 

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