Gina Roché (singer/songwriter, guitarist, mom) Philadelphia native and longtime Atlantic City resident, Gina brings a Brazilian flavor to her own cool recipe of straight ahead jazz. Of Spanish and Irish descent, she began singing professionally at age 17, writing songs and playing guitar to the influence of Bonnie Raitt, Billie Holiday and more recently Antonio Carlos Jobim. Early on, Gina sang on a TV Pilot for Merv Griffin, who spotted her singing in his very own Resorts International Hotel and Casino. A versatile vocalist, Gina’s musical menagerie features Brazilian jazz, R&B, soul, Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz. From Atlantic City to Japan, Ms. Roché has traveled throughout the world performing concerts in festivals, nightclubs, and concert halls. Performing alongside renowned artists such as McCoy Tyner and Gerald Veasley. She’s toured with the world music group, World Color, singing in different languages with musicians from Africa, Japan, Mexico and Puerto Rico, and performed with the all female Latina group “Ellas.” “Gina Roché is what makes the listener sit up and take notice.” ~ Jazz News “Exhilarating, individualistic and compelling.” ~All About Jazz. Her debut CD “Dawning of a New Way” continues to receive rave reviews within the jazz community. Gina is now working on her second CD “soon to be released in 2008. Gina has an upcoming concert being held at the Dante Hall on Friday, July 18th at 8pm. For tickets, call 609-344-8877. For more information, visit www.ginaroche.com. Gina lives with her husband and two children in Atlantic City.