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Windy Karigianes:
The Avant-Garde Soul Jazz Singer
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Written by Melissa Salinas
Windy Karigianes is a rare breed of musician, combining her Greek, Italian and Portuguese heritage to create a truly unique sound that is both elegant and sophisticated. Her music is a mix of contemporary harmonies and vintage rhythms that can only be described as Avant-Garde Soul Jazz. From the moment you hear her music, you can hear the cultural diversity that Windy brings to the table.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Windy was inspired by her father, Jimmy K., a singer-songwriter from Chicago. It was her father's passion for music that led Windy down the path of becoming a musician herself. Although she dabbled in various art forms, it was singing that captured her heart and soul. At the tender age of 16, Windy began her professional singing career on the Las Vegas Strip, where she quickly made a name for herself.
Windy's musical journey took her to New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where she continued to perform in jazz clubs and music festivals. It was during this time that she honed her skills as a songwriter, eventually co-writing the European hit song "Butterfly" with the late pianist composer Vernell Brown Jr. Her love for music is evident in the wide range of genres she enjoys, from Country to Classic Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Rhythm and Blues. Windy believes that "A Great Song is a great song," and she enjoys playing it with a jazz twist, collaborating with an array of talented musicians.
As both a composer and a vocalist, Windy is a force to be reckoned with. Her subtle yet controlled expression is lightning in a bottle, and her phrasing and scatting are impeccable. She has an ethereal quality to her voice that can be haunting yet innocent at the same time. Jerry Fink, an esteemed music critic, describes Windy's voice as "silken, smooth, and sensual," and her briskly rhythmic style and evocative interpretations bode well for her future.
Windy's musical talents are on full display in her live CD, recorded at the world-famous Baked Potato in Los Angeles with her band Divinity Zero. The CD features songs co-written with Vernell Brown Jr. and Grammy Award-winning producer singer-songwriter Randy Hall. Her signature song, "Sad Songs," is a timeless piece that showcases Windy's depth and dimensionality as both a vocalist and a songwriter.