Exemplifying natural elegance and swing, Lithuanian-born Vik Gecyte is exciting audiences from Paris to New York with her sultry voice and sophisticated style.
Seine-Saint-Denis Magazine, serving Greater Paris, calls Viktorija “a lady of jazz with an angel voice.” The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival describes her as “a class act.”
“Music gives me joy. So, of course, I smile!” says Viktorija, a Paris resident who is admired as much for the rayon de soleil, or ray of sunshine, as for her elegant flair in her performances.
Gene Perla
At five, Gene’s musical studies began with classical piano. In high school he attended the first New York performance of Ted Heath’s big band at Carnegie Hall. Thanks to Charlie Haden’s performance on Ornette Coleman’s The Shape Of Jazz To Come, at 24 he began his studies on bass. After arriving in the NYC his talents became in demand, performing with artists such as Willie Bobo, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Nina Simone, Woody Herman, Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and Frank Sinatra. As an educator Mr. Perla has taught at William Paterson University, The Center for the Media Arts, Lehigh University, and is currently at New School University teaching music business and improvisation ensembles.
“Gene Perla is unquestionably one of greatest jazz bass guitarists. Perla’s place in the acceptance of the electric bass as a part of the world of respectable jazz is sealed. He laid down everything from straight-ahead jazz with Elvin Jones and Sonny Rollins, to incredible funk with his band Stone Alliance.” (Tony Senatore, GlobalBass Online)