Tal Shalom-Kobi (upright bass, accordion) Tal, a native of Israel, is a Bass player and a music educator, who has been active in the world of music for the past 20 years. Tal holds a degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music, and Masters in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory. Tal has performed in Jazz Festivals overseas and locally in venues like Berklee Performance Center, Ryles Jazz Club, and Jordan Hall among others.
Tal leads the “Women in World Jazz” Quintet and plays as a side musicians for many groups in the local Boston jazz scene. Together with her performance career she stayed active in the field of education, teaching Piano and youth ensemble groups in her home studio in Newton.
Candida Rose (lead vocalist) Born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts, vocal artist “Candida Rose” captivates her audiences and stirs them with a uniquely compelling voice that combines the overtones and undertones of jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel with just the right touch of international spice. Her 10-song debut CD entitled “KabuMerikana: The Sum of Me”, combines her Cape Verdean musical roots with her American (primarily jazz) influences, a mixture she calls “KabuJazz”. As a working performer, in addition to her work with various jazz, R &B, and Cape Verdean musical groups, Candida currently travels the South Coast region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as a Life Enrichment Entertainer singing for Nursing Home, Assisted Living and Adult Day Care facilities, as well as for various senior groups and associations. Candida’s love and passion for singing, performing, and education drive her desire to impart her knowledge and experience to others, especially young people. As a performer and educator, she reaches out with her heart conveying the joy of music to all in her presence.
Laurie Goldsmith (guitar, bass) Laurie Goldsmith has been writing and performing music in the Boston area for over twenty-five years. She began as an award winning performing songwriter and later worked as an instrumentalist in many different bands over the years. As a vocalist, guitarist and bassist, she plays jazz, blues, reggae, latin and world music. She leads The Laurie Goldsmith Project and has just released a full length album of original material. As a long time professional early childhood educator, she has also assisted in writing and recording four albums of children’s music.
Ririka Tokushige (reeds) Multi wind player Ririka Tokushige has been involved with music all her life. Her main instruments are saxophone, clarinet and flute, and she has been actively playing in various local bands in Boston area for 20 years. After studying jazz at Berklee College of Music, her interest in music expanded in many different genre, including rock, funk, blues, gospel, classical, latin and other world music. Some of her recent world music experience includes Alexander y su orquesta(salsa and merengue), Johnny Bate, Ramon y su Banda, Watch Out(Haitian), and The Volo Volo. She has recorded numerous CDs with many groups in different styles. Besides playing actively, Ririka also has been teaching private/group lessons in greater Boston area.
Diane Gately (drums) After studying at Berklee in the 1980s, Diane immersed herself as a versatile performer in many Boston area bands and genres including jazz, pop, hard rock, funk, 60s Motown, soul, American roots, country, tango, and blues. She has appeared on Mai Cramer’s prestigious “Blues After Hours” radio show and was the featured drummer on recordings with Liz Lannon’s “Blues Party,” Cheryl Aruda’s “Dirty Blonde Band,” and Weepin’ Willie and Bonnie Raitt’s recording of “Walkin’ the Dog.” She currently plays with the “Boston Soul Revue,” and performs with the “Ladies of the Blues and Soul” show featuring Diane Blue. She has performed in numerous theater productions including “Rent,” “Carrie,” “The Full Monty,” Wild Party,” and Lea Delaria’s “Insatiable Hunger.” As a teenager, she competed in and won the Drum Corp International World Championship as one of the first female drummers. She enjoys leading drum circles for local assisted living facilities and teaching drums to children at her home studio.
Women In World Jazz 