Talent Spotlight | Bella Donna from GigSalad on Vimeo.
With a soulful voice, catchy lyrics, and a four piece jazz ensemble, Bella Donna has created a new sound which they are calling Ozark Gypsy Jazz. Inspired by their midwestern roots, this stunning dirty jazz sound has become something unique and unforgettable. Here’s their story.
GigSalad: So how would you describe your sound?
Bella Donna: So right now we’re kind of calling it Ozark Gypsy Jazz. Ozark Roma Jazz… Ozark Jazz Manouch.
GS: How did you meet?
BD: Matt and I met each other. We had the same classical guitar teacher. Then Matt came over, and we played in my attic. He showed me a bunch of jazz songs and asked if I could sing. I didn’t really know if I could or not yet, so we tried All Of Me, and it worked really well.
“Matt had been researching the plant Bella Donna, and that word is so beautiful, but it’s also a very strange, powerful plant…”
GS: How did you come up with Bella Donna?
BD: Matt had been researching the plant Bella Donna, and that word is so beautiful, but it’s also a very strange, powerful plant that people have used for all sorts of reasons.
GS: Matt, can you tell us a bit about your unique guitar?
BD: This is a Maccaferri reissued guitar, typical in Gypsy Jazz music. It’s kind of got a percussive quality to it. It gives us a really distinct sound, but it’s also the bane of our existence.