Dinner and a show featuring music by Amber Epp & Jocelyn Gould with an Italian meal prepared by Chef Andrea Gargani paired with great wine and topped off with dessert from Chocolate Zen.
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Chef Andrea Gargani
Andrea was born in Firenze in October 1971. Son of Sharon Oddson-Gargani, a beautiful Canadian born lady who went to Italy on a family vacation at 16 years of age, met a charismatic Giuliano Gargani and never came back home. Until 1979, when the later iconic restaurant opened its doors, his father Giuliano, better known as “Il Garga” was considered one of the best butchers in town so since a little baby, Andrea grew up breathing the essence of good food. He started working with them at their restaurant in late 1985, being only 14 years old when they installed in him the passion for cooking. Trattoria Il Garga became one of the hot spots in Florence, (named after charming Guiliano Gargani). During those years, working side by side with two of the most emblematic culinary references in Florence, he learned that food not only feeds the body but also the soul, that food is a mission, is part of who you are. Trattoria Gargani was a place where artists from all disciplines would get together to enjoy a phenomenal meal and then stay for an extra bottle of wine and conversation until the see small hours of the morning.
Amber Epp
Imagine a child that always sings at the dinner table. One who gets sent outside by a mother who can only hear “The Lonely Goatherder” so many times. A little girl that, having played a song on the piano with her fingers, tries it with her toes. This same child follows her family around the globe, from adventures in Australia, to climbing the Grand Canyon, to getting trapped in Mayan caves. Such an upbringing is sure to release a unique and fiery personality.
Adventure, discovery, and joy culminate in the music of Amber Epp. All at once alluring and uplifting, Amber shares her joy for life and excitement in the undiscovered in each performance. With heartstrings pulled by the freedom of jazz and the rhythm of Latin music, she unites her favorite styles in a delightful way.
Amber Epp first encountered Latin music in Canada, but it was not until she moved to Cuba that she discovered her Latin soul. Singing in the open-air patios of Old Havana fueled the fire for this contagiously rhythmic music. Her mastery of Latin Jazz conveys her infectious passion.
Amber has an amazing ability to convey the meanings of songs in numerous languages and styles, carrying the spirit of those beautiful countries straight to the soul. With the airy lilt of Portuguese, the rolling Spanish tongue, and delightful English wit, Amber enchants her audiences, leaving them walking away with a smile on their face and a groove in their step.
Jocelyn Gould
Jocelyn Gould is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. From Winnipeg, Canada, she grew up singing every chance she got, and became enthralled with the guitar as a teenager. She cites Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass as primary influences of the instrument. After completing her Masters Degree in Jazz Studies at Michigan State University in 2018 and shortly after winning 1st place in the Wilson Centre International Guitar Competition, Jocelyn relocated to New York City.
Jocelyn maintains an active international performance career, including performances at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival. She has performed with Grammy nominated vocalist Freddy Cole, Trumpeter Etienne Charles and DownBeat Rising Star trombonist Michael Dease. She is featured on Michael Dease’s record “Never More Here”, Diego Rivera’s album “Connections” and Randy Napoleon’s album “Common Tones”. Jocelyn’s debut recording, ‘Elegant Traveler’, was released in March 2020.
In fall 2019, Jocelyn relocated back to Canada and began a position as professor and “Head of Guitar Department” at Humber College in Toronto, where she teaches courses, private lessons and manages the guitar department.
Doors - 6;30pm
Dinner - 7:00pm
Tickets
$65.00
All tickets subject to service fees.