International Jazz Day @ Dear Mama w/ Summer Children, Gina D’Soto and April Varner

From 5-8pm on Sunday April 30th, join us for an evening of music from around the world with three amazing groups. Aayushi Karnik and Summer Children, Gina D’Soto Group, and April Varner Quartet. This concert is part of a global celebration of jazz taking place on April 30th – International Jazz Day.

This concert is presented in partnership with April Varner and Dear Mama Coffee and made possible with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and the West Harlem Development Corporation.

AAYUSHI KARNIK AND SUMMER CHILDREN
Summer Children is a Contemporary Folk band that experiments and improvises with sounds, songs and stories. Band members Aayushi Karnik (Guitar), Daniel Hass (Cello), Jackson Earles (Violin) and Cole Davis (Bass), come from different musical backgrounds namely jazz, classical, bluegrass and blues. The band released a several singles in the past year and is record an album in July 2023.

GINA D’SOTO
Always comfortable and very real, Cuban born musician Gina D’Soto graces every stage with her energetic, soulful and powerful vocals; being widely recognized as a charming, playful, and passionate human being, unafraid of showing who she really is, and fiercely open to connecting with her audience and those around her. Since moving to North America at a young age, 22-year-old singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger Gina D’ Soto is one of the first prominent Cuban musicians to emerge out of the late 90’s generation, with a sound best described as the blending of jazz, soul, fusion and Cuban traditions.

Since moving to New York City, Gina has shared the stage with world-renowned musicians like Arturo O’Farrill, Antonio Sanchez, Roman Filiu, Ana Tijoux, and Jon Faddis. She also has performed at the Winter Jazz Festival and Exit Zero Jazz Festival while singing throughout the Tri-State area at many venues including Minton’s PlayHouse, Shrine, Gin Fizz Harlem, and Zinc Bar. Gina has Also participated in the “Fandango at the Wall” Cd release by six times Grammy Winning artist Arturo O’Farrill as well as the CD release of “Duele” by the Lady of Neo-Bolero Maria Bacardi at Joe’s Pub.

APRIL VARNER:
Curly redhead, NYC award-winning jazz vocalist and composer originally from Toledo, Ohio, April Varner is a name you won’t soon forget. She is often described as a “direct, authentic singer…”, demonstrating “vocal dynamism… authentic jazz phrasing…electrifying numbers…” and possessing a “profound command of deep scat and vocalese…” (Marilyn Lester, The New York City Jazz Record)

The April Varner Quartet has a wide variety of repertoire, in reimagined jazz standards, pop, modern music arrangements and original tunes. At the age of 26, April has already performed/studied with a multitude of renowned artists such as Darmon Meader, Sachal Vasandani, Tierney Sutton, Walter Smith III, Dave Stryker, John Raymond, Kurt Elling, Michael Feinstein, Theo Bleckmann, Ted Rosenthal, Elio Villafranca, Jean Baylor, Rogerio Boccato and Damien Sneed. She can be found captivating audiences at many of the city’s top jazz spots, including Mezzrow, The Django, 55 Bar, Dizzy’s, Ornithology Jazz Club, Birdland, Minton’s Playhouse and more.

April graduated in May of 2022 with her Master’s degree in Jazz Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. She most recently became a 2023 Finalist in the International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition. You can check out her own original music and arrangements on her debut EP, entitled “Hummingbird”, available on all streaming services. Her debut album will be released in early Spring of 2024.