Music and singing has always been a part of her for as long as she can remember. Gina was exposed to all kinds of music at a tender age and was active in choirs, solo performances and drama/musical theater productions in school. Although she has a degree in business, she chose her passion and started out with popular music in the Philippines but was listening to Jazz, blues, gospel and broadway music during her spare time. "When opportunities knock, priorities change' she quotes. She believes that the key to a successful singer is the ability to listen to others and to yourself.
Her performance has taken her to many parts of Asia while based in Kuala Lumpur, and has traveled to South America, Australia,Europe and the US. One of her cherished moments was performing live at the Cotton Club in New York with their in-house swing band.
Based in Malaysia, she’s performed with some of the top notch musicians. She was the vocalist for Asiabeat (with Lewis Pragasam), Aztec Jam (with Stuart Henderson), Jungle Jazz (with Dodong Jumawan), the Solianos, David Gomes, Farid Ali, Face First and Mezzanotte band with Greg Lyons to name a few. She has also done guest performances for royalties, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Orchestra, and charity concerts.
She went to Sabah, East Malaysia in 1999, and met Sabah’s finger style guitarist Roger Wang. In August 2000, both did a special performance at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort. A year later, she was performing nightly at the same hotel lobby with pianist, June Tan who, together with Vincent Chin formed JV Quartet, a popular jazz group in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Gina later joined the JV Quartet and has been active in the Sabah music scene. In August 15, 2004 she performed once again with highly acclaimed Roger Wang and Friends Concert held at the Sabah Trade Center . Her influences include Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Diane Schuur, Diane Reeves, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, BB King, Porter, Gershwin, vocal groups and Big Bands. Having Spanish as part of her heritage, Brazilian and Latin music forms a big part of her repertoire as well like the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Tania Maria and Flora Purim .
Gina Panizales is currently active in the Kuala Lumpur jazz circuit performing with some of the talented jazz artistes in the region. She performed with Eye to Eye Jazz Mix at the Riau Jazz Festival in 2007, Indonesia. Has done radio appearances (recently at 90.3 FM Jazz Selecta), and several segments for Radio TV Malaysia's Down Memory Lane Jazz special. She also performs for events, private, and corporate functions around town and frequents top jazz joints like Avanti, Bangkok Jazz, the Top Room, No Black Tie and 7ateNine at the Ascott, Kuala Lumpur.
On April 30, 2008, she released her self produced, debut album -- "FINALLY- Gina Panizales" co produced by Roger Wang. It's a contemporary mix of Jazz, Latin and R & B which is a reflection of her passion as listener, and musician with inspirations and influences very close to her heart. The album is under Multinum Records and is currently available at most record stores in Kuala Lumpur as well as during her performances.
In August 2008, Gina was featured again with violinist Dennis Lau at the widely acclaimed annual Sunrise Montkiara jazz and Rhythm Festival 2008, and also performed with the brilliant WV Connection Jazz Trio (led by Tay Cher Siang) from the US at No Black Tie. In November 2008, she had the opportunity to perform with the Young KL Singers in Kuala Lumpur in Breakin' It Down Jazz Concert at the Kuala Lumpur Performance Arts Center, again directed by Tay Cher Siang, and arranged by Justin Lim and Ken Hor.
Motown celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, and its such great music bringing together soul, backbeat and gospel - into the perfect pop sound. No Black Tie was treated to a two-night tribute in April 2009 featuring Gina, Maria Angela, Margaret Rose and Hiyas whose effervesence got the house bubbling with Willy Rebano Band.
Fresh from his Homecoming Series in Manila, jazz legend Boy Katindig performs with Gina at No Black Tie on June 26-27, 2009. Joining him are Fly-bass, Azmi-sax, Jordan-guitar, Arthur Kam on drums and guest Valtinho on percussions.
Her second album Love Tapestry on audiophile under executive producer Leslie Loh of Poppop Music was released on Dec 22, 2009. Currently on Limited edition, its available in all major record outlets in KL, Malaysia and now distributed in Hongkong, Singapore and Taiwan.
Related Links :
www.youtube.com/ginavox1
www.facebook.com/gina.panizales
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ginapanizales
www.allaboutjazz.com/ginapanizales
www.myspace.com/ginapanizales
www.reverbnation/ginapanizales