Wednesday, May 31, 2017

What led me to do a tribute to this music legend?

Dear readers of my BLOG,

It is always a pleasure to share with you my favorite recipes and fun facts about my beloved Venice, and also my music adventures.
I always enjoy to receive your feedback and your comments.

Lately I was asked by a journalist why I have learned 5 languages and why I’m learning another one, as I’m learning Spanish.

I always thought I learned them because I love to talk and I think communication it’s very important.  But thinking better I came to realize that learning languages is something that comes to me by some attraction, you can say moved by love.

If you have been to my Concerts you may know already that I have learned French because I was as a child in love with the songs of Edith Piaf and French music. I could sing La Vie En Rose when I was 4 years old phonetically without knowing what the song was about it. So, when I was asked at school which language I wanted to pick up, choosing between English and French, I chose French of course. I wanted to understand the lyrics of the music I LOVED so much.

I have learned Dutch because I fell in LOVE and married a Dutch man and moved to Amsterdam with him. I have learned English following my LOVE for music that brought to write songs in London.

Ever since my television special From Venice With Love has been broadcast on PBS around the USA, proud to say so far more than 1,000 times and still going, I have noticed how many of my new audience members are Spanish speaking people. They started to request me also Spanish songs and while visiting a PBS station in El Paso TX, I was suggested to sing a song of Selena when back there with my Concert.

I remember seeing the movie Selena with Jennifer Lopez a while back and feeling so sad for that tragic story. But it was not until recently, while getting more and more familiar with Spanish music, that I came across a video of Selena. I started to read all I could find about her. I was suddenly fascinated about her, her beautiful smile, her driven personality, her passion for performing and for music.
I started to see why after 25 years after her tragic death thousands of people still love her like she has never left. I realize how Selena was an inspiration to all the Latin female singers after her. She was the first to break so many barriers. The first Latino female singer to approach as well as Spanish as English songs.
They told her it was impossible but for Selena impossible was not a possibility.

I started to see how so many of my obstacles to overcome were very similar to hers. I have been told too so many times what to do and what not to do. What is realistic and what is impossible. And yet just like Selena I don’t see that as an obstacle but more like a challenge to overcome.

I found myself falling in LOVE for Selena’s music, her personality and somehow finding another myself in her. I found myself inspired by her like she was still here with us.

And so, 6 months ago I bought myself a Rosetta Stone on line course and now I’m learning Spanish to understand better her music.

Being Italian I can understand Spanish but to speak is an all other ballgame.
I really love the passion and the vibes of Latin music. It’s so close to my personality and heart. It’s so close to the music I grew up:  the Italian music.

To start experimenting my Spanish, a few weeks ago I went into a recording studio here in Los Angeles with a great young producer, Jorge Velasco. I had worked with Jorge on my PBS special. He brought in some awesome musicians and we have recorded my first two Spanish songs.

We recorded my own spin of “Como La Flor” of Selena, as a tribute to her and as a thank you to her for inspiring me. 



And “Gracias a La Vida” of the Chilean musician Violeta Parra, a beautiful song that pays tribute and gives thanks life for his gifts.




I always sing about LOVE and now I have learned that I also learn languages moved by LOVE.

I cannot wait to share my new music with all of you.
The recording of the songs turned out so very nice and two weeks ago we have also filmed a video clip on the beautiful Antilope Valley in California that we will share in the next two weeks on YouTube. Here below some pictures from the video.












This new addition to my music will hopefully bring my music also to a new audience that just like me loves the romantic vibe and the passion of the Latin music. And who knows, maybe one day soon I will be able to bring my music also to South America. So far I can say I love this new language and their music. And my Latin audience is so kind and so loving my effort to bring their music to them with my own flavor and love.

I hope to see you all soon at one of my concerts and share with you also on a stage this new passionate music.

Music speaks the language of LOVE, gives emotions, create unforgettable moments and a lifetime of memories. I feel so privileged to be able to bring it everytime on a stage to my incredible wonderful audience.

From Venice With Love,
Giada

Join me on my official mailing list www.giadavalenti.com  to be part of my world of lovers of love and to to stay connected with me.


And if you want to join me on the Giada Valenti “From Venice With Love” Cruise on the MSC Musica leaving from Venice on July 9, you can visit www.giadavalenti.com/Cruise to register and more info.

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