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Two singles and a masterfully crafted EP that invited over 50k listeners in 2020. A history of live performances all across the country. A full ride at Berklee College of Music. A list of prestigious awards and accolades including the Berklee Guitar Department Achievement award, first prize at the Luminarts Jazz Competition in Chicago, and a National YoungArts Foundation first place award for both Jazz guitar and Jazz vocals. Collaborations with jazz legends including Terri Lyne Carrington, Nicholas Payton, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Even at the age of 21, it seems like Francesca Castro can’t miss.
I was first introduced to the music of jazz guitarist, singer, and producer, Francesca Castro through an Instagram video of her cover of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ by The Beatles. I was inspired by how she played with the tempo and chord progression, incorporating a relaxed jazzy feel to one of my favorite songs by the group. Pretty soon, I was lost in Castro’s catalogue of songs, and I knew I had to interview this impressive talent. As an artist myself, I do my best to find common ground with the artists I talk with, and, after some research, I found that we both performed at the same local Chicago venue, Uncommon Ground. I brought this up at the start of our conversation, and Castro, with years of gigging experience I could only wish to attain, explained her connection with the music venue; “I first was introduced to Uncommon Ground through this jazz program in Illinois called Midwest Young Artist, and they booked us a show there,” says Castro. As she continued to develop as a songwriter and grow her audience, Castro eventually was able to book shows of her own with a backing band including Julian Merluzzi (drums), Grant Le (bass), and Wes Dziedzic (piano). These gigs laid the foundation for material that Francesca Castro would end up using to construct her debut EP,