GAYLYN
Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, the youngest of five children her parents loved to entertain friends and family. Gaylyn was introduced to all types of genres at an early age - Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Country, Rock & Roll, Latin and Classical. But as a young adult her heart and soul gravitated to Jazz. She has been performing professionally since 2000 and now is about to fulfill her dream of a lifetime as she begins work on her first CD. It is often said, She truly has a God given talent. A unique sound like no other and the style, grace and stage presence of those great ladies of Jazz.
Gaylyn’s musical journey has been influenced by the phrasing and techniques of “The Lady of Song” Ella Fitzgerald, must mention “Lady Day” Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Carmen McRae. The “Graphic Story Teller” Nancy Wilson, and the “Smooth Silky Sounds of Julie London. She has been enriched by Phyllis Hyman, Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe and Diana Krall, to name a few.
Her interaction with a audience is extraordinary as she pulls them into the musical voyage she creates. Whether she’s delivering smooth lilting sentimental notes or those which crescendo with passion. Gaylyn will work her way around a song and into your soul. Her ballads will melt your heart, her swings will make your feet dance and her bossa novas will make your hips sway while her blues will pull at your soul.
“I saw Gaylyn in the stage production, “Then & Now The Chitlin Circuit”, she was outstanding. Her ability to capture your heart was delightful. Her interpretation and phrasing of a song told the story reminiscent of the “Great Ladies of Song”. As she took command of the stage for a moment I reminisced how my parents played those old LP’s (records) they laugh and dance for hours.
The best Musical re-enactment of the Chitlin Circuit I have ever seen”. Mary Taylor, Production Coordinator
Best of Broadway, Sacramento, CA
“I met “The Sultry Songstress” in San Francisco July 31, 2003 at Club Jazz Nouveau. During a break she walked up introduced herself and asked if she could sit in, I said sure. This Lady captured not only the audience but my band as well, no one wanted her to leave the stage. She has pure raw, talent and if she continues to follow her dream, the world of Jazz will know her name.”
Red Holloway Quartet– Saxophonist Los Angeles, CA.
Appearances:
BLUES BLVD. SPARTANBURG, SC
THE BROWN STREET CLUB GREENVILLE, SC
SMILEY’S ACOUSTIC GREENVILLE, SC
BLUES BLVD. SPARTANBURG, SC
THE BROWN STREET CLUB GREENVILLE, SC w JAZZ ‘N STYLE
BURGUNDY BLUES AND JAZZ ANDERSON, SC w JAZZ ‘N STYLE
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH GREENVILLE, SC Black History Program
HOLY CROSS CHURCH CHOCOLARE SORIEE FUNDRAISER SIMPSONVILLE, SC
P. SIMPSON’S HOMETOWN GRILLE SIMPSONVILLE, SC
HALFWAY TO HABANA 2 ANDERSON, SC
TRAVINIA ITALIAN KITCHEN LEXINGTON, SC
TRAVINIA ITALIAN KITCHEN AIKEN, SC
THE CASCADES “VERDAE”, GREENVILLE, SC VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE
MOJA ARTS FESTIVAL, CHARLESTON, SC w OSCAR RIVERS TRIO
PRIVATE BIRTHDAY PARTY M/M RONNIE FAIRCLOTH CHAPIN, SC
LONDON’S DINNER & JAZZ - GREENVILLE, SC
CENTER STAGE ANNUAL FUNDRISER MID SUMMER NIGHT’S STEAM”
SAFFRON’S SIDEWALK CAFÉ GREENVILLE, SC
YOUR CAROLINA WSPA w JACK ROPER & KIMBERLY KELLY GREENVILLE, SC
M/M SAM BALDWIN 40th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
THE CASCADES “VERDAE”, GREENVILLE, SC
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE
GREENVILLE DRIVE BASEBALL - NATIONAL ANTHEM
WEST END FIELD GREENVILLE, SC
GAYLYN & FRIENDS ROBERT HOEFER & BILL BROWN
MANIGUALT MANISON GREENVILLE, SC
YOUR CAROLINA WSPA w JACK ROPER & KIMBERLY KELLY GREENVILLE, SC
FREEDOM WEEKEND ALOFT HERITAGE PARK SIMPSONVILLE, SC w/JAZZ ‘N STYLE
FWA 1st ANNUAL GOSPEL FESTIVAL- COORDINATOR
ROPER’S JAZZ CAVERN GREENVILLE, SC w/JAZZ ‘N STYLE
BLUE CITY CAFÉ’ MEMPHIS, TN w/MAC ARNOLD & PLATE FULL OF BLUES
RED’S LOUNGE CLARKSDALE, MS w/ MAC ARNOLD & PLATE FULL OF BLUES
DOUBLE DOOR CHARLOTTE, NC w/DARRELL PAYTON ALL STARS
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CTR. CHARLOTTE, NC w/GOING THROUGH CHANGES
The Glazing Pot, Diva’s Night Out Simpsonville, SC
The Golden Strip Ctr. Christmas Assistance Program/Kiwanis Club
The Marchant Company open house held at “Beyond the Halls Antique & Home” Décor, Shriners Hospital For Children Holiday Carols, Greenville, SC
WEST COAST
SAN FRANCISCO
The Jazz Club & Sam Jordans Club w/Johnny Dollar
Rasellas Jazz Club #1 w/Bobby Spider Webb Band & Jaye Richardson & Friends
Rassellas Jazz Club #2 w/Dave Jones & Love Motel Quartet
Bistro Yoffi w/Dr. Dee Spencer Quartet
Opening Act Denise LaSalle Sunday Blues ‘N’ Jazz Club
Harry Denton’s Starlight Room w/Fred Ross Quartet
Club Jazz Nouveau w/Ricardo Scales, Carl Garrett Quartet
Red Holloway Quartet
Boom Boom Room w/Hyler T. Jones Quartet
OAKLAND, CA
5th Amendment & Sweet Jimmie’s Entertainment Complex w/Jackie Ivory Quartet
Sweet Jimmie’s w/ Bay Area All Stars Blues Society and Ronnie Stewart’s Band
Boston’s Cabaret Sacramento, CA
Sacramento Zoo’s 75th Birthday Celebration Sacramento, CA
5th & 7th Annual Black AIDS & HIV Conference* Sacramento, CA
Best of Broadway Stage Production “Wonder America”
LAS VEGAS, NV
Mr. Virgils’s Private Party Golden Nugget Hotel