Gabrielle Cavassa is an American vocalist-composer of Italian descent who is garnering attention for her distinctive voice and intimate expression. She was crowned winner of the International Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition in 2021 after the independent release of her critically acclaimed debut album. Cavassa is featured on saxophonist Joshua Redman’s inaugural album with Blue Note Records, ‘where are we’, to be released September 2023.

Cavassa’s relationship with music began with an early love for records. She remembers “obsessively listening” to albums at an early age and later amassed a record collection through which she began her education in music. Born and raised in Escondido, California, Cavassa moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University in 2012. There, she began her career as a vocalist , citing infamous jazz spot Club Deluxe as having significant influence on her development. In 2017, Cavassa moved to New Orleans where she would record her first record with co-producer Jamison Ross.

Cavassa’s expression reflects a wide range of influences, including the likes of Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, Ornella Vanoni, and Frank Ocean. Her songwriting confronts challenging topics with a raw and honest approach, as though she’s sharing diary entries with the world.