Genevieve (Gigi) Marentette has established herself as one of Toronto’s most recognizable and illustrious live performers. “She has always had the type of voice and stage presence that mesmerizes an audience and is simply one of Canada’s finest singers.” Says Jaymz Bee - JAZZFM.91.

Following her studies in vocal jazz at Walkerville Centre for the Creative Arts High School and Humber College, Gigi spent many years performing in Asia and Europe and, since her return to Toronto, has released an EP produced by George Koller and worked with many great Canadian artists such as David Clayton-Thomas, Don Thompson, Ted Quinlan, Don Francks & Jane Siberry. Genevieve grew up in the Windsor/Detroit experimental jazz and electronic music scenes. She has an extensive background in Brazilian, World, Blues, and Jazz and is known for her fearless approach to song interpretation. She has a unique discography of collaborations with electronic music creators such as Marc Houle, NYMA, Theo Parrish, Recloose, and Francis Harris.

Genevieve is also one of the co-founders of Molly Johnson’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival, now in its 7th year. In 2019, she produced a record for her mother - musician Linda Girard, as a 70th birthday present. The album is titled ‘The Heart Of 21’ after a beautiful French waltz composed in 1936 by her Quebecois grandmother, Lena Ledoux. Genevieve recently released a trio recording of a beautiful ballad written by Canadian Icon and mentor Don Francks called While There’s Still Time. The tune is a contrafact to Moon River with Francks’ own heart-wrenching lyric and topline melody. Don Francks described Genevieve as “a lovely muse of music… a femme fatale from film noir… jazz improvisation at its best… an honest girl with a great sense of humour that the world's been waiting for. That's Genevieve "GIGI" Marentette.” 

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In February 2021, Genevieve released an archival recording of a duo concert at Trinity-St. Paul’s church in Toronto, with pianist Robert G. Scott, called Live & Improvised. In late July, Robert passed away suddenly, and this recording will always be treasured in his memory.

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On Good Friday, 2021, Genevieve released her cover version of “Lost Highway” - the timeless country tune written in 1948 by blind balladeer Leon Payne was made famous by Hank Williams, Jeff Buckley, Willie Nelson and others. Over the pandemic, she took “song requests” from friends and family, and this was one she produced. Eric St-Laurent and Jeff Young also remixed it. 

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In 2022, Genevieve began recording the songs in 1969. The project was inspired by resonant discussions with her colleague, mentor and friend David Clayton-Thomas about the zeitgeist of the 60s”, a time when musicians were warriors of social justice and peace.  To date she has released three timeless covers: Nick Drake’s “River Man,” King Crimson's "I Talk to the Wind," and Bob Dylan's "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You." and on David Clayton-Thomas' 83rd birthday, she shares her cover of his Billboard-topping song "You've Made Me So Very Happy."

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With a voice that transcends genres and a stage presence that enchants audiences worldwide, Gigi Marentette's artistry is authentic and passionate. Her journey continues to unfold, and her interpretations of this current collection from '69 carry the weight of experience and the joy of creative liberation. Gigi's music is a testament to the eternal power of the human spirit, forever yearning for connection through melody and emotion.

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Gigi will launch her album on October 16th, at Koerner Hall. 

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Get tickets here

I have been a fan of Gigi's for many years, and just when you think you have heard it all, she surprises you… There are few singers and artists that surprise me every time, yet Gigi does just that, and I would say she's an artist at the height of her powers. Her warm and magical performances are gifts, and I hope she continues to chase the horizon line where art and soul collide....” - Marc Jordan.