Gina Sicilia
(born Elvira (Elveera) Gina Sicilia
, March 6 1985, Newtown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia) is an American blues singer. She is the youngest daughter of Giovanni Sicilia, an Italian immigrant, born in southern Italy) and Patricia Sicilia, born in Philadelphia.
Exposed to music by her parents, Sicilia showed a passion for music at a young age. By age 12 she began writing her own songs, and by 16 she had written numerous songs that would later be recorded on her debut album.
In 2007 Sicilia graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. During her sophomore year of college, Sicilia began attending the weekly blues jam at Warmdaddy's in Philadelphia. It was there she got her first performing experience was introduced to numerous people who would help her to record her first demo.
In 2005 Sicilia began dating blues singer/guitarist, Dave Gross.
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GINA SICILIA TICKETS
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Singing career
In 2006 Sicilia recorded her debut
album,
Allow Me To Confess
, which was
produced by Gross and consisted of eight original songs. Musicians on the album included
harp player Dennis Gruenling and Arthur Neilson. The album was released in early 2007 to rave reviews.
JazzReview
called her "the best Blues singer on the music scene today"
[1] BluesWax
said she was a singer with "...star potential.."
"Allow Me To Confess" debuted at #10 on the Living Blues Radio chart, and peaked at #3 on XM Radio's
Bluesville
. A few months after the album's release, Sicilia signed with the VizzTone Label Group. Sicilia was nominated for a 2008
Blues Music Award in the category of 'Best New Artist Debut'.
In October of 2008, Sicilia released her sophomore CD, "Hey Sugar", which again debuted at #10 on the Living Blues Radio chart and consists of 9 original compositions.
Personal Life
Gina Sicilia also has a sister, Anne-Marie Sicilia, who is a math teacher at Crossroads South Middle School.