Toronto-based singer Genevieve “Gigi” Marentette is paying tribute to the iconic year 1969 with her debut EP Songs of ’69, slated for release on October 16.
The first single from the EP is a rendition of the song “You Make Me So Very Happy,” made popular by Brenda Holloway and American jazz rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. The single was released on September 13 in celebration of Blood Sweat & Tears lead singer David Clayton-Thomas’ 83rd birthday, who happens to be Marentette’s close friend and mentor.
“This project hopes to capture the zeitgeist of the era when musicians were warriors for social justice, peace and love,” expressed Marentette in a statement. The album features Michael Shand on piano, Eric St-Laurent on guitars, Ben Wittman on drums, George Koller on bass, and Alison Young on saxophone on popular classics like “Leaving on a Jet Plane” and “These Eyes” and some rarely covered songs such as “Easy to Be Hard” and “I Talk to the Wind.”
Songs of ’69 comes out on October 16 with an album release at the event Jaymz Bee says THANK YOU JAZZ.FM91 taking place at Koerner Hall. Tickets are on sale now and available here.