Jazz saxist Don Braden inspires vocalist Gina Fox

Best known as the lead vocalist in Dennis Gruenling's jump blues band Jump Time, Fox has a solid background in blues, traditional jazz, R&B and the Great American Songbook.
"I'm working with (jazz saxist) Don Braden," Fox said. "I'm just trying to move my music in a traditional jazz direction somewhat. I've been so entrenched in the blues tradition for eight or nine years. I'm sad about that because that was a wonderful project. But, at the same time, it freed me up to really start to figure out what I want to do."
Gina Fox will front her band, featuring special guest Don Braden, for two sets at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair Jan. 9.

She is focusing her attention on working with new musicians and on writing her own original songs. Her band tonight includes pianist Brad Mandigo, upright, acoustic bassist Dave Post, guitarist James Karp (Braden's former student) and drummer Kim Geary.
Fox met Braden on the local jazz scene in South Orange and West Orange. The veteran jazz saxist attended her CD release party at 46 Lounge in Totowa in May.

"Don sat in and he just blew us all away. He's an amazing player. My sax player wouldn't come back on stage. Just let him play. That started our rapport," Fox said.
Braden admired Fox's ability to write and arrange her own original music. Fox has learned so much from Braden's knowledge of the language of music.

"I knew that I needed to work with him, if he was willing to work with me, because he could do nothing but bring my musicianship upward," Fox said.
Fox decided to tuck away her ego, to remain teachable and to exist as a part of her own ensemble rather than being a leader. She talked with Braden about music and she sat in with him at his own CD release parties in New Jersey.

"We'd talk about how he got from point A to point B in his playing. He's just been a tremendous influence on me," Fox said.
Fox comes from a musical family. Her mother was an operatic soprano and her maternal grandfather sang in a jazz big band. Fox and her sister attended satellite schools in Newark and Montclair for the New School for the Arts.

"I have a voice suited for jazz and R&B. But I love everything. I love all kinds of music. I love the American Songbook," Fox said.
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