" BE the change you want to see.." ~ Ghandi
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa.. I am of Spanish and Irish descent. I began singing, writing songs and playing guitar when I was 16. The very next year, I auditioned for a pop/R&B group and spent the next two years performing in nightclubs in the Philly area.
1990
performing material by Tania Maria, Chaka Khan, Ricki Lee Jones, Gino Vanelli, Flora Purim, and any eclectic, fun music you could think of!
...I sang on a TV pilot for Merv Griffin, with the Amazing Jonathan. Merv was a wonderful, he has a loving and supportive spirit.
1991 - 1996
My group gigs in Grand Cayman and Aruba. Fell in love with music of Brazil: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymmi, Djavan, Joao Gilberto and Elis Regina.
1992 to 1996 was an intense period of learning and studying for me. I fell in love with Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone, Chet Baker and his soulful, tasty solos, Keith Jarrett, Carmen McRae singing Monk, just to name a few. Timmie and I began getting together regularly, just bass and voice, exploring, singing bop heads and soloing. gigs with bass and voice.
Played in Japan with my trio. We were there for a month.
On our return trip to the states, we spent some time in Portland, Oregon, recording and playing with wonderful Randy Porter.
1996 - 2000
In 1997, I wrote lyric and sang on the Tim Lekan CD “PM.†Of the “PM†recording: “Gina Roche’ is what makes the listener sit up and take notice†-Jazz News
From 1997-1998, I sang with the all female latina group called “Ellasâ€.
We played Afro-Cuban, merengue, salsa and latin jazz, performing in clubs, the Latino/Americano Festival and outdoor festivals for the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia.
toured with the world music group “World Color,†singing in different languages, with musicians from Africa, Japan and Mexico.
“The Sacred Divasâ€(a gospel/jazz group) came to be during this time, performing with some great philly jazz musicians…Doc Gibbs, Gerald Veasley, Barry Sames and Monet Sudler, to name a few.
2001- 2007
I released my debut CD “Dawning of a New Way.†The CD features original tunes and standards.
“The Gina Roché Quartet†opened for McCoy Tyner at Kennedy Plaza for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts.
I performed as guest artist in concert and on WRTI “live†with Gerald Veasley and his Electric Mingus Project. In a concert at the Kimmel Center, I performed one of my original compositions with a live orchestra.
…oh and the best collaborations to date, I married my love and best friend John. We had our first daughter 2001 and our second daughter in 2004.
Having love, children and dreams realized has caused much to happen in my musical and creative life. I have been writing alot and am currently working on my next CD…due for release later this year!
I continue to write, record and perform.