Gio by Chynthia Black

About...

Gio Moretti's music is a percussive blend of acoustic rock and jazz and features her soulful and expressive voice. Her straightforward and moving songs of life and love are reminiscent of the early works of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Tracy Chapman.Animacustica's highlights include some stellar collaborations with Moretti teaming with celebrated artists from various cultures and musical styles including Brazilian Superstar Ivan Lins on the romantic duet Il Sole Dell'Anima. Another gem is Gio's playful exchange with legendary guitar innovator Toninho Horta in Estrela Guia, the reworking of Horta's classic Liana. Contemporary jazz heavyweights Mike Stern and Special EFX's Chieli Minucci lend their signature sounds to the project as they support and inspire Moretti during some noteworthy moments in the rhythmic anthems When You Love Somebody and Let's Talk About It respectively.

Gio Moretti was born and raised in Italy. An explorer of music and sounds, she studied classical oboe and theory at the Conservatory of Music in Bergamo. She quickly became one of Northern Italys most popular singers after winning several voice competitions, and as one of the finalist of the San Remo-Giovani Festival, and the Castrocaro Terme Festival. Her three year stint as the featured vocalist on the popular Italian TV program and on her cover_band "Stunky Funky",added to her popularity, as she showcased her multi-lingual, other worldly vocal abilities.
In 1998, her adventurous spirit brought her to Boston to continue her studies at Berklee School of Music. While at school, she studied the craft of songwriting and developed a stronger sensibility for jazz and world music.

After 3 months, she decided to travel to South America to expand her musical world.

In Rio de Janeiro she performed regularly with her group, as well as other musically adventurous groups. Her most notable recordings and performances have been with Batacoto, led by drummer Teo Lima, Brazils leading Afro-Brazilian beat ensemble,( winner of several Latin Grammy Awards ) whose frequent collaborators include Dionne Warwick, Ivan Lins , Djavan, Joan Bosco, Martinho da Vila, Aldir Blanc, Lenine.

Batacotos latest CD: Batacoto 3, featuring Giovannas remarkable voice and oboe, was nominated for the Premio Tim, (Brazils Grammy Award) in 2004.

Gio currently resides in New York City, where her popularity continues to grow with audiences and musicians alike. She has performed with such New York jazz fixtures as guitarist Mike Stern, pianist Dave Kikoski, singer/guitarist Leni Stern and saxman John Stubblefield as well as pianist Jason Lindner and bassist Matt Garrison, jazzs new generation of stylists.

Gio is also a member (vocal soloist, oboe and percussion ) of 2004 Bessie award winning vocalist/composer Philip Hamiltons Ensemble, which performs music for theater, dance and film. She has toured and performed with this ensemble in collaborations with celebrated choreographers Ron Brown Evidence and Danny Buraczeski/Jazzdance. More recently, Gio has been creating music for choreographed works, which have been performed at the Joyce Theater, the Dancespace Theater and the Brooklyn Lyceum Theatre, three of New Yorks innovative performance spaces.

In 2009 she finished recording her first solo album which features her soulful vocal and remarkable range, while showcasing unique songwriting and guitar skills. Gio combines her classical, jazz and world background and vision with an amazing natural gift to create unique rhythms, and a language with words or without words, of universal beauty.

"ANIMACUSTICA" include special guest like: Ivan Lins, Mike Stern, Toninho Horta...and more..

Produced by Steve Addabbo, Philip Hamilton and Gio.

In January 2011, she recording an album with the collaboration of portuguese composer Ernesto Leite.

"MEETING POINT/PUNTO D'INCONTRO" is arranged, performed and produced by Ernesto Leite and Gio.

Co-produced by Steve Addabbo.

2017 - Gio featured on MIKE STERN new CD "TRIP".

https://music.apple.com/us/album/emilia/1440943807?i=1440944014

2018 - Gio released on Xmas day a brand new single called: "NELLA FANTASIA", a collaboration with brazilian superstar IVAN LINS.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/nella-fantasia-single/1447563167?i=1447563169

Music by Ivan Lins

Lyrics by Gio Moretti

Arranged and Performed by Ernesto Leite and Gio

Final Mix and Mastering by Rob Friedman @Littlelife Studio, NYC.

2020 - Gio released a new single called: "TIME OF LOVE"

https://music.apple.com/us/album/time-of-love-single/1514885555

“Time of Love” was recorded at the healing frequency at 432hz.and was produced by my long time friend and music collaborator Valerio Baggio.
Gio wrote and sang this song. It features acoustic guitar by Michele Gentilini and was mastered by P. Lion.
Enjoy! ❤️

Available now on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music.....

Photo credit by Cynthia Black .