Gemma & the Travellers is a young formation based in France and inspired by the sounds of 60s soul, funk and r&b. Frontwoman Gemma has a powerful, distinctive voice and the rhythm section replies accordingly, as do the uplifting harmonies of sax, wurlitzer piano and guitar.

Gemma is a soul woman who left the south of Italy as a teenager with a small bag in her hand and a bit of cash in her back pocket. While traveling through Europe Gemma had a chance encounter in Germany with Robert P., an Anglo-Swedish guitarist, and together they formed a traveling duo that ended up returning to Robert’s home town, London. After many years getting sick and tired of the city’s ‘distractions’, the two sought a more creative environment by the sea and fell in love with Northern Brittany, where they formed the band Gemma & the Travellers with friends and musicians from down the road.

Their influences include Aretha Franklin and Julie Driscoll and all genuine vibrations bred from an irrepressible creativity and love for life. In 2015 the band played live at the famous Jazz Café in Camden, London, opening for the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show and sharing the stage with Daptone Records act Saun & Starr. The mighty Craig also aired their single on BBC 6 numerous times, describing it as “a tasty little nugget of soul”.

As this sassy outfit prepares to launch debut album “Too Many Rules And Games” on renowned European label Légère Recordings, one things is for sure, if you haven’t heard of Gemma & The Travellers yet then prepare to be blown away!

 

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