carla c.sharp gomez

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***Atlanta native, Carla “C Sharp” Gomez did not grow up singing in the church, she wasn’t asked to sing for relatives at family gatherings, nor did she spend her days and nights rummaging through her parents (non-existent) record collection. Although always a member of choruses since elementary school (white top, red bottom. white top, blue bottom. white top, black bottom… ad infinitum),she did not consider singing her path until that path was (she believes) divinely presented to herby way of an audition. Accepted into the Northside School of the Performing Arts, Carla spent her high school years in the Music Theatre program, which included yearly tours to Europe performing classical music in some of the oldest and well known music halls and churches in England, Belgium, France, and Italy. This training has proven invaluable and has much to do with the high quality of her voice.****************************************************** ***** ***Some years later, she joined the Acid Jazz group Fa, lead by pianist Mausiki Scales. Gaining a loyal following by twisting soul classics and jazz standards, they became an integral part of the rebirth of Atlanta’s live music scene. But soon, the Big Apple beckoned and during a summer visit, she was asked to join jazz fusion band Survival Soundz after sitting in at the group’s rehearsal. “She flowed effortlessly over whatever we played: jazz, blues, rockers, hip hop…whatever!!!” claims Survival Soundz founder/mc/drummer Jamaki Knight. “I call her sound Melodic Mahogany because of the warm tone and timbre, like an instrument.” Gigging at such well known places as SOB’s, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Fez and Joe’s Pub, for almost a decade, she fronted the band as lead vocalist and lyricist, co-writing and arranging music as well. The bands debut album, Rootzbop Melodies was a huge underground success, receiving write-ups in XXL, Stress, Billboard and Time Out magazines and garnering accolades from such luminaries as Mos Def, Rakim, Roberta Flack, famed actor Leon and poet Jessica Care-Moore. During this time, she also worked as principal vocalist for trip-hop jazz ensemble 3 Bean Stew, lead by composer Kwame Brandt-Pierce (keyboardist for Saul Williams), background vocalist for Geechee Goddess Hardcore Soul vocalist Tamar-kali (ground-breaking documentary Afro Punk) and Afro Funk Fusion artist Wunmi (formerly of Soul II Soul).****************************************************** ********** ***Currently, residing in her hometown again, “C Sharp”, as she is affectionately called by fans and fellow musicians, continues to capture the ears of music lovers. Her 2003 debut at London’s Jazz Café was a huge success, prompting airplay on underground music personality DJ Gilles Peterson’s web cast. She has maintained her touring position as featured vocalist with Wunmi on her yearly overseas tours. Carla has also graced the main stage of the Atlanta Jazz Festival with Nu African jazz vocalist Somi and was asked by FOJ founder Tammy Allen to participate in the 2007 Future of Jazz Competition. Representing jazz, she is also one of the star vocalists of Dee Robinson’s Black Pearls, a traveling ensemble of Black woman showcasing various genres of music. Every last Friday of the month, you can catch her at the Apache Café as one of the featured vocalists of Home Cookin’, Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective’s excursion into AfroBeat and its origins and other influences.************************************************* *********** ***With a keen jazz sensibility, ear for nuances, improvisational fearlessness and varied tastes, Carla “C Sharp” is one of jazz’s pleasingly distinctive new voices. Waving the Rootbop banner “FRUITS OF ANCIENT TREES, SEEDS ARE WE”, she is fresh air, appealing sound and captivating vision on a mission to honor those who paved the way (Ella, Nina, Betty, Sarah, Mary Lou, Dinah, Billie) and continue the legacy in her own style and fashion.