Giacomo Gates interprets the Music of Gil Sott-Heron and Miles Davis at Westport Arts Center Nov. 10

Giacomo Gates is no ordinary singer. His voice embodies the quality of instruments, such as the trombone, trumpet, and bass, filling out the sounds around him to create a rich, full band, even when accompanied by one or two other instruments. The Wall Street Journal described his scatting as emulating "the mellow bark of a trombone."

On Sunday, Nov. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Westport Arts Center, Gates will be performing selections from his two most recent CDs "Miles Tones – Giacomo Gates Sings the Music of Miles Davis" and "The Revolution will be Jazz – The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron," both of which spent several weeks at #1 on the Nation Jazz Radio Playlist.

Giacomo Gates sings, to use his own words, with "the Experience of life." He lived for over a decade in Alaska where his life experiences include working a variety of jobs, such as on the Alaska Pipeline, and encountering a hungry polar bear. His time in Alaska gave him the perspective of being both small and insignificant but at the same time filling him with a life force, and feelings that have influenced his art.

"Giacomo Gates is a jazz vocalist that continues the tradition of the voice sounding as if it were a musical instrument," says Brian Torff, jazz curator for the Westport Arts Center. But he is also known for his "vocalese," or the singing original lyrics to traditionally all-instrumental compositions. "Gates is known as the modern day heir to Eddie Jefferson, the godfather of vocalese. ... He uses the style, which is often compared to scat singing, to great advantage. But he never showboats using the challenging technique. It is always in service of the song," writes Jay Mazza for "The Vinyl District."

Gates, who has toured across the United States, Europe, Russia, and Australia, is back at the Westport Arts Center by popular demand. Last year, his scheduled performance was canceled due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Brian Torff is looking forward to Giacomo's return. "We are excited to have Giacomo back at WAC. He is a favorite at our jam sessions and I know this will be a great concert."

Tickets to the concert are $25 for adults, $10 for students with a valid I.D., and are available in advance at (203) 222-7070 and westportartscenter.org, or at the door 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. A limited number of $15 tickets will be available for presale at the Westport Center for Senior Activities (21 Imperial Ave. in Westport).