(Photo by Jonathan McLeod)

Music Bio

Gabrielle “Gabby” Pietrangelo has become one of Southern Arizona's most beloved musical voices, known for her songwriting, performances, teaching, and community-building projects. Winner of the 2023 John Lennon Summer Song Contest for her Tucson anthem "Summer Losers," her desert-inspired voice, thoughtful lyrics, humor, and warm stage presence have made her a favorite at venues and festivals throughout the Southwest. The artwork featured on her Back to the Heart album cover, designed by Tucson muralist Jessica Gonzalez, appears as a large-scale mural on the south wall of the historic Rialto Theatre in downtown Tucson.

On March 7, 2025, Gabrielle released her acclaimed album Back to the Heart, celebrated with a sold-out concert at Tucson's historic Temple of Music & Art. Featuring an all-star lineup of guest musicians—including Howe Gelb, John Convertino and Jacob Valenzuela of Calexico, Katherine Byrnes, John Coinman, Brian Lopez, Mamma Coal, Tom Walbank, Naim Amor, and many other longtime collaborators—the evening celebrated not only the release of her album but also the friendships and artistic partnerships that have shaped Gabrielle's musical journey. Back to the Heart is both a personal reflection and a love letter to the Sonoran Desert and the community she calls home. As Duncan Hudson, music director at KXCI, wrote, "Back to the Heart is an album that was many years—and a lifetime of living—in the making and serves as a love song to this community, its people, their stories, both personal and collective, and the amazing Sonoran Desert region we call home."

In addition to her work as a songwriter and performer, Gabrielle is a seasoned teacher, vocal harmony arranger, and choir director committed to creating spaces that empower individuals and bring communities together. She maintains a thriving private music studio in downtown Tucson, where she teaches voice, guitar, piano, songwriting, and recording arts to students of all ages. Throughout her career, she has led harmony-based projects, including the beloved Silver Thread Trio and the folk-inspired vocal ensemble Sister Solace. More recently, Gabrielle founded Tucson Protest Choir, a multigenerational women's community choir centered on her arrangements of songs from the protest tradition. She also directs Song Church, a seasonal community singing experience hosted at La Rosa that invites people of all musical backgrounds to gather and sing well-loved songs accompanied by a live band.

Whether performing intimate singer-songwriter shows, taking the stage with her full band, interpreting beloved American Songbook standards with her longtime jazz trio, Blue Skies Trio, directing community choirs, leading participatory singing experiences, or mentoring students in her downtown studio, Gabrielle continues to build a career rooted in artistry, collaboration, and community.

Short Bio

Gabrielle “Gabby” Pietrangelo has become one of Southern Arizona's most beloved musical voices, known for her songwriting, performances, teaching, and community-building projects. Winner of the 2023 John Lennon Summer Songwriting Contest for her Tucson anthem “Summer Losers,” she released her acclaimed album Back to the Heart in 2025, celebrated with a sold-out concert at Tucson's historic Temple of Music & Art featuring an all-star lineup of guest musicians. The artwork featured on the album cover, designed by Tucson muralist Jessica Gonzalez, appears as a large-scale mural on the south wall of the historic Rialto Theatre in downtown Tucson.

A seasoned teacher, vocal harmony arranger, and choir director, Gabrielle leads a thriving private music studio in downtown Tucson and has directed harmony-based projects including Silver Thread Trio, Sister Solace, Tucson Protest Choir, and Song Church. Whether performing intimate singer-songwriter shows, taking the stage with her full band, interpreting beloved American Songbook standards with her longtime jazz trio, Blue Skies Trio, or mentoring emerging musicians, Gabrielle continues to build a career rooted in artistry, collaboration, and community.