Led by mesmerizing vocalist and songwriter Daphne Roubini, Black Gardenia takes the listener to a place where cool meant classy and noir was the norm. With their darkly elegant blend of vintage jazz, blues, and cinematic swing, the band has carved out a sound that is both timeless and of the moment.

Daphne Roubini’s sound is the essence of Black Gardenia — a voice rooted in the phrasing of classic jazz yet touched with her own distinctive style. Her delivery is tender and powerful in equal measure. A Vancouver International Jazz Festival Spotlight Artist, she has performed at the festival many times, and appeared at the storied Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Vancouver Folk Festival, including on the main stage. Featured in the Georgia Straight, The Province, Globe and Mail,CBC, CTV, and other local press, Roubini is both a recognized voice in Vancouver’s jazz and folk scenes and an artist in motion.

Their forthcoming 2026 release, Whiskey Scented Kisses (Cellar Live), marks Black Gardenia’s finest work yet. Leaving the ukulele far behind, Roubini embraces a more expansive palette: lush horn arrangements crafted by Paul Pigat, seven original songs co-written with band members, a never-before-published gem, and two exquisitely reimagined standards.

“In the last years I found my life has evolved significantly, and with that so did this new Black Gardenia sound. I no longer felt like playing the ukulele, but I still love the unique sound of the band and our approach to jazz.” — Daphne Roubini

Inspired by the classic jazz recordings of the 1940s and 1950s, Black Gardenia creates music that feels timeless — at once vintage in spirit and alive with modern nuance.

Each member of the band is a celebrated artist in their own right, bringing a wealth of experience from Canada’s top stages and beyond:

  • Paul Pigat (Cousin Harley, The Smoking Jackets) – guitarist, arranger, and musical director of Black Gardenia. A virtuoso player, he has worked with Neko Case, Carolyn Mark, Michael Kaeshammer, Ndidi Onukwulu, Jim Byrnes, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

  • Stephen Nikleva (Petunia & the Vipers) – an adventurous guitarist whose credits span Sarah McLachlan, Dan Mangan, Ray Condo, and Lache Cercel, blending roots, swing, and world influences.

  • Jeremy Holmes (The Barnstormer Band, Terminal Station) – a first-call bassist across jazz, roots, and blues, known for his rock-solid groove and versatility. Notable collaborations: Alison Russell, Jill Barber, Steve Dawson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, John Boutte, and Cousin Harley.

  • Brad Turner (Metalwood) – one of Canada’s most acclaimed jazz musicians, decorated with multiple Juno Awards and the Order of Canada, with collaborations including Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano, Kenny Wheeler, and John Scofield.

  • Dave Say (Vancouver Jazz Orchestra) – a dynamic saxophonist and stalwart of Vancouver’s jazz scene, whose lyrical playing has made him one of the city’s most in-demand horn players.

The result is a sound steeped in smoky atmospheres and aching romance — timelessly elegant, cinematically evocative, and unmistakably Black Gardenia.