LAHORE – The proclaimed American award-winning singer Gabrielle Stravelli along with a musical band of some outstanding musicians including Michael Kanan on keyboards, Darrell Green on drums, Patrick Thomas O’Leary on bass and Scott Matthew Robinson on Saxophone was invited to the National College of Arts by its Film & TV and Musicology departments on Friday, August 25.
This event has been organised by the U.S Consulate Lahore, with the cooperation of Foundation for Arts, Culture and Education (FACE). This concert was a success as the audience was highly ecstatic by the performances of these Americans musicians. The main purpose of the event was to promote peace and positive image of Pakistan. The musicians made it a point to elevate Pakistan and American cordial relations.
The Principal Dr Murtaza Jafri honoured the event with his presence. Along with him were HoDs and faculties of all the departments of NCA. Gabrielle began singing as a soloist with orchestras and has since performed on stages from Amsterdam to New York including the Caramoor Festival, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, Birdland Jazz Club, 92Y’s Lyrics and Lyricists, 54 Below, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall at Kaufman Center, the Hammerstein Ballroom, the Iridium Jazz Club, BB King Blues Club, Somethin’ Jazz, The Garage, Grasso’s, Fulton Theatre, Maree Sonore Festival in Venice, Italy and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) where she opened for Esperanza Spalding and Cassandra Wilson Gabrielle was one of only ten finalists selected internationally for the 2011 SHURE- Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition and was the 1st runner-up at the 2009 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition in Harlem.
In 2008 she was awarded the Backstage/Bistro Award for Performer on the Rise and in the same year was named to a list of the top ten cabaret acts by John Hoglund.
