Jazz has always been a part of Zoe's life. The passion passed on to her from her father, Mike Gilby who worked professionally as a jazz trumpet player and arranger for over 40 years. His influence has played a huge part and continues to do so. She has just finished recording a debut album "Now That I am Real" The title reflects a particular stage in her life and her music at the moment. The album is now on release receiving great reviews.
Meanwhile you can get your mouths watering by hitting her Myspace and listening to samples!

Influences include: Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holliday, Nancy Wilson, Mike Gilby, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carmen McRae, Roberta Gambarini, Chet Baker, Julie London, Anita Wardell, Roseanna Vitro, Mel Torme, Jill Scott, Carol Kidd, Chris McNulty, Ruby Carter, Cassandra Wilson, Anita O'Day, Minnie Ripperton, Marlena Shaw, Tina May and many many more.

Zoë Gilby grew up in the North East of England in a household bursting with jazz. Her father Mike Gilby enjoyed a successful career spanning 40years as a jazz trumpet player and arranger. It was not uncommon to see a young toddler Zoë at her father’s concerts. He still remains her number one influence. The jazz bug was passed on through the blood.

On leaving school she studied drama and dance but realising her talent and desire to be a singer, Zoë then studied music at Newcastle College for two years.

Her professional career started by being the lead vocalist in a social club band. Touring around the North East for 18 months but it was her 21st birthday present that changed her life forever. The Fionna Duncan Vocal Jazz Workshop in Glasgow was the weekend Zoë will never forget
“Fionna and the other tutors gave me the key to the door that I wanted to open”

After performing as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival Zoë returned to Newcastle inspired and emotional from her experience. She left the north east social club scene and embarked on her journey with jazz.

Listening to the greats of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae from an early age gave Zoë the building ground to becoming the vocalist she is today. Working for the next few years with the young local jazz musicians, Zoë built up a repertoire of over 100 standards and performed in local restaurants, bars, functions and in several local festivals including the Newcastle Jazz Festival.

Thanks to close family friend trombone player Mike Carton, Zoë was booked to be a featured vocalist with a six piece band in the 2006 Cork Jazz Festival. As well as performing twice a day at the festival Zoë had a sit in with Northern Irish saxophonist legend Gay McIntyre and his quartet. After only singing one song “Love For Sale” Gay invited Zoë to be the vocalist with his quartet at the 2007 Derry Jazz Festival.

Another important meeting occurred that weekend with the drummer from Gay McIntyre’s quartet. That was with the arranger Tony Faulkner. Tony was also blown away with Zoë’s performance. They kept in contact and Tony helped Zoë plan her debut album. Due her fathers ill health Tony took on the role of arranger for the album. Four months later she was in the recording studio for the very first time and recorded the whole 12 track album, live, in just two days! From that weekend Zoë made good friends with saxophonist giant Russell van den Berg.

The 2007 Derry Jazz Festival was a huge success and Zoë had the wonderful opportunity to meet and perform twice with guitarist great Louis Stewart. On stage with Gay McIntyre and Louis Stewart was so natural for Zoë that Louis even requested a duet with her.

contact: 0191 2521565 - 07742217932 - zgilby@hotmail.com Zoe Gilby Myspace

Sound Clip

1. West Coast Blues

2. Ode To Billy Joe

3. Squeeze Me