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Dena DeRose

It’s no small accomplishment to be thought of as “The most creative and compelling singer- pianist since Shirley Horn”, but that’s exactly how Joel Siegel of the Washington City Paper described Dena DeRose. If she comes to your city and you want to catch the show, go early, because the room is going to be packed. She not only awes her audiences and music critics with her facility on the piano and her swinging, soothing vocal style but, as Richard Scheinin of the San Jose Mercury aptly put it, “… she exudes joy … what soul!” DeRose always delivers “…vivid and often exciting demonstrations of how innovative her musical concepts are…” (Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner).

She has brought that vitality and innovation to performances alongside the likes of Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, Benny Golson, Scott Hamilton, John Scofield, Benny Green, Ray Drummond, Houston Person, Tootie Heath, Deborah Brown, Ken Peplowski, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Kenny Burrell, David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Mark Murphy, Marvin Stamm, and many, many others.

As a recording artist, DeRose has 14 CDs to her credit, all of which have received superior accolades. Her newest, and third consecutive HighNote release ‘Ode To The Road’ features the incomparable rhythm section of Martin Wind and Matt Wilson with guests jazz vocal icon Sheila Jordan, the legendary saxophonist Houston Person, and the lyrical and swinging Jeremy Pelt on trumpet. DeRose’s past releases have garnered many outstanding reviews in top jazz magazines like Downbeat, JazzTimes, JazzHot, JazzHistoryOnline, All About Jazz, The New York Record, and many other international jazz publications. She’s has been featured on many radio stations in Europe, and has garnered many excellent reviews All of DeRose’s recordings from Sharp Nine, Maxjazz, Vega, GoFour, and now HighNote, have all received no less than 4 stars from Downbeat, and have continued to gain listeners in the U.S. and abroad.

Dena has had many Grammy considerations starting with her Maxjazz recording ‘ A Walk In The Park’ in 2005. Other considerations include her HighNote recording “We Won’t Forget You…An Homage To Shirley Horn” featuring her trio of 17+ years (Martin Wind and Matt Wilson) with special guests Eric Alexander, Jeremy Pelt, and Gary Smulyan. Christopher Louden of JazzTimes writes “…becalmed majesty escalating to vibrant exaltation…”, and Chris Hovan of All About Jazz writes “Over the course of the dozen albums she has recorded since landing in New York in 1991, DeRose has consistently proven herself as a singular pianist and vocalist with a depth of scope that is really something to hear.” The New York City Record’s Ken Dryden wrote “Dena DeRose has grown into one of the most acclaimed pianist/vocalists in jazz during her two decades plus as a professional.”

Dena has accumulated an impressive list of performance credits. From the legendary clubs around the world like the Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls, Smoke, and Jazz Standard in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Pitt Inn and Body and Soul in Tokyo, The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Marian’s in Bern, Nardis in Istanbul, The Widderbar in Zurich, to major Jazz Festivals that include Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), The Red Sea Jazz Festival in Israel, The Monterey Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Providencia (Santiago) Jazz Festival, Estoril (Portugal), The North Sea and The Hague Jazz Festivals (Holland), Ancona Jazz Festival (Italy), The Jazz Cruise (2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), The Kansas City Jazz and Blues Festival (1999), Jazz Baltica Festival (Germany), VinterJazz Festival (Denmark), and many others.

Esteemed writer, Terry Teachout of the New York Times wrote, “Dena DeRose sings Jazz as if she had been at it her whole life long, and then some”. He was closer to the truth than he might have imagined. Her mother heard her picking out melodies on a toy organ when she was three. She studied classical piano throughout her childhood, until she was enticed into the world of Jazz by playing Count Basie’s music in her junior high stage band. Then, playing piano in the high school stage band and doing wedding and club gigs (playing rock/pop/blues, etc) during the weekends. To feed her insatiable Jazz appetite, at 18 years old, she would drive four hours to New York City to hear piano idols Hank Jones, Mulgrew Miller, Barry Harris, and Kenny Barron, then drive back 4 hours back to Binghamton, NY. It is a rare music career that isn’t peppered with challenges and obstacles, and Dena’s is no exception–her Jazz fervor led her right into a case of carpal tunnel syndrome, aggravated by arthritis, which was severe enough to require 2 surgeries, and forced her to completely give up the piano for over 2 years. With her spirit and her livelihood both in jeopardy, in a club one night, someone dared her to get up and sing a song. She did it, she liked it, and so did the audience. Dena had not only found her ticket out of the physical predicament, but, a few years later when she had recovered enough to add piano back into the act, she also discovered that the singing had helped her add lyricism and phrasing to her piano lines. DeRose has been chosen by Downbeat’s Critic’s Poll as an “Artist Deserving Wider Recognition” in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011- 2016. She has been featured on NPR’s ‘Morning Edition’ on National Public Radio, and three times on “Marian McPartlands’ Piano Jazz” radio show including it’s “30th Anniversary” recorded live at Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Jazz club in NYC with piano greats Kenny Barron, Renee Rosnes, Mulgrew Miller, Bill Charlap, Cedar Walton, Dick Hyman, and others. Dena also appears on the CD “NPR’s Piano Jazz Christmas Compilation”.

Astoundingly, DeRose has also found time to hone her skills as a Jazz educator, and in the past was on the adjunct faculty at some the most prestigious jazz institutes, including Manhattan School of Music, NYU, The New School, Long Island University, Purchase College in New York, The Hartt School of Music in Connecticut, and was on the faculty for 10 years at “New York Comes To Groningen” Prince Claus Conservatoire of Music in Holland.

Ms. DeRose is currently tenured as the Professor of Jazz Voice at the Jazz Institute of The University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. She is also a voice teacher at Siena Jazz University for Masters Vocals in Italy. She frequently leads clinics and workshops at such prestigious schools and festivals such as the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Centrum-Port Townsend Jazz, the Dave Brubeck Institute in Oakland, The California Jazz Conservatory, Taller de Musics in Barcelona-Spain, JEN, NJPAC Jazz for Teen Program, The Litchfield Summer Jazz Camp, Jazz Camp West, the Rotterdam Summer Jazz School, and The Royal Conservatory of Music in Den Haag, among others. She has served as a first round judge at the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition and served 6 years on the NJ Star Ledger Scholarship Awards committee.

As her renown spread to the international scene, feature articles and reviews on Dena have been and continue to be published in the New York Times, Downbeat, Jazz Times, LA Times, Seattle Times, Jazz Is, Jazz Podium, Jazz Hot, Ancona, JazzIt, among several others. Now, Dena is making Don Heckman’s (L.A. Times) prediction come true — that she “…has all the vocal skills needed to rise to the top level of her field”. She is in demand, her passion is stronger and more visible than ever, and she consistently delights her ever-growing worldwide audiences. Alan Bargebuhr of Cadence magazine succinctly summed up the reason why… simply, she is a “… stunningly talented pianist/vocalist.”
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Blindfold Test: Dena DeRose

by Mathew Bahl
September 4, 2023

With Dena DeRose you get the best of both worlds--a first rate jazz pianist who understands how to explore the rhythmic and harmonic potential of a song, and a superior singer capable of expressing every nuance in a lyric with intelligence and subtlety. Throw in her formidable skills as a composer, and you have a jazz artist to be reckoned with. DeRose's multiple talents are all on display on her fourth album, the superb Love's Holiday. Dena recently ...

Profile

Dena DeRose: No More Detours Ahead

by Mathew Bahl
August 21, 2023

A pianist by instinct, a jazz musician by choice and a singer by accident, Dena DeRose has emerged as one of the most captivating and distinctive new voices in mainstream jazz. Anyone who has not heard her music should not be misled by her status as a singer/pianist specializing in the Great American Songbook. DeRose is neither a Shirley Horn clone nor a Diana Krall wannabe. Although she admires a wide range of singers, including Horn ("definitely on the top ...

Interview

Dena Derose: Keeper Of The Song

by R.J. DeLuke
September 7, 2020

Dena DeRose has established a reputation as one of the finest jazz singers today—though never exclusively that. As others have done—Shirley Horn, a predecessor, or Karrin Allyson, a contemporary, among others—DeRose, in addition to her alluring voice, is a highly accomplished pianist who accompanies herself. Often that's in a trio setting, but she easily extends it to larger groups when the situation calls for it. She has ascended to the top of her field in a slow progression. ...

Radio & Podcasts

Nothing Like You - A Birthday Shoutout to Dorothy Parker

by Mary Foster Conklin
August 31, 2020

This week we feature new releases from trumpeter Eddie Henderson, vocalist Allegra Levy, trombonist Emily Asher's Garden Party and drummer John Hollenbeck with birthday shoutouts to Dorothy Parker (pictured), Carolyn Leigh, Adrienne Fenemor, Dinah Washington, Charlie Parker (100!), Alice Coltrane, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Mimi Fox and more. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown. Playlist Adrienne Fenemor “Mo' Puddin'" from Mo' Puddin' (Self released) 00:00 George ...

Album Review

Dena DeRose: Ode to the Road

Read "Ode to the Road" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
July 19, 2020

To those who may have wondered what ever happened to singer / pianist Dena DeRose, the answer is nothing—and everything. DeRose has lived for the last fifteen years in Graz, Austria, where she is professor of jazz voice at the University of Music and the Performing Arts. She still tours frequently, sometimes returning “home" to the states for gigs and / or record dates. Along the way, DeRose has met and befriended a sizable number of talented artists, three of ...

Radio & Podcasts

It Might Be You in the Dark - Celebrating Dave Grusin and Big Bill Broonzy

by Mary Foster Conklin
July 6, 2020

The end of June broadcast included a new single from trombonist and vocalist Aubrey Logan with Hagelslag, plus new releases from the Vanessa Perica Orchestra, with birthday shoutouts to vocalists Madeline Eastman, Tierney Sutton and Gillian Margot, composer and pianist Dave Grusin, harpist Brandee Younger and bluesman Big Bill Broonzy. Playlist Rachel Z “Artemisia" from Room of One's Own (NYC Music) 00:00 Madeline Eastman “Pent Up House" from Can You Hear Me Now? (Mad-Kat Records) 06:32 Cathy Segal-Garcia ...

Album Review

Dena DeRose: United

Read "United" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 11, 2016

Loathe as one might be to admit it, there are far too many singers today who consider themselves jazz vocalists. The fact of the matter is it is far too easy to scat a few lines, come up with some nouveau riche lyrics, and press your album at 45 rpm than to really function as a vital musician that also happens to vocalize. Herein rests the problem, often abetted by the hype that only the media can do far too ...

Recording

MAXJAZZ Releases New Solo CD by Pianist Dena Derose

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
August 29, 2012

The St. Louis based independent label MAXJAZZ has released a new CD by pianist Dena DeRose called Travelin' Light. The album (pictured) is DeRose's fourth for the label and her first recording as a solo pianist. It was recorded live at The Chromatic Attic in Antwerp, Belgium, and features DeRose's interpretations of some familiar tunes (and some more obscure ones) from the “Great American Songbook." DeRose will promote the release of Travelin' Light with performances on September 14 and 15 ...
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Performance / Tour

Dena Derose Trio on HDLiveConcerts.com

Source: Two for the Show Media
December 17, 2009

Next HDLiveConcerts.com Performance The Dena DeRose Trio December 19th, 2009 at 9:00 PM Est. - Tune in on your home computer to view live jazz from the comfort of your own home featuring The Dena DeRose Trio Live at The Kitano in New York City. The Dena DeRose Trio will be performing at The Kitano in New York City on December 18th & 19th, 2009. The 19th concert is being featured on a brand new Web Site Concert ...
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Video / DVD

Dena Derose, Accompanist

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
October 18, 2009

133

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Dena DeRose

Source: Michael Ricci
February 15, 2009

All About Jazz is celebrating Dena DeRose's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Dena DeRose

Dena and her trio (Martin Wind on bass and Matt Wilson on drums) have developed a hard-swinging and dynamic sound that audiences crave, and have accumulated a list of performance credits that proves it. From the legendary Blue Note... more

Website | Videos | Articles

Follow Dena DeRose @ AAJ

Put AAJ's Musician of ...
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129

Recording

CD: Dena Derose

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
January 7, 2009

Dena DeRose: Live At Jazz Standard, Volume Two (MaxJazz). Spontaneity and a sense of discovery continue in this second set by DeRose and her trio at the New York club. She, bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson connect with one another and with an enthusiastic audience. The connection comes by way of taste, musicianship and a sense of shared enjoyment -- outright fun, in fact. As in volume one, she concentrates on standard songs, but this time she includes ...
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108

Recording

Maxjazz Releases New CD from Dena Derose

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
November 2, 2008

The St. Louis-based label MAXJAZZ has released a new CD by singer/pianist Dena DeRose. Titled Live at the Jazz Standard, Volume 2, it features DeRose with her longtime accomplices Martin Wind on bass and Matt Wilson on drums, and was recorded at the NYC club at the same time as the critically acclaimed first volume, which came out in October 2007.To see a short slideshow on DeRose with audio samples from Live at Jazz Standard, Volume 2, go ...
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127

Performance / Tour

Dena DeRose Debuts New Release "Love's Holiday" at Blue Note September 23

Source: All About Jazz

“...an exceptionally gifted pianist as well as a sultry and intelligent singer, she has the audience at her feet..." --San Francisco Chronicle

Dena DeRose began as a pianist who fell in love with Red Garland and jazz. At the age of eighteen, she would tell her mother she was going to the mall, but instead would grab a friend and drive four hours from her upstate New York home down Route 17 into Greenwich Village to hear Hank Jones, Kenny ...
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149

Music Industry

Dena DeRose Celebrates I Can See Clearly Now with Appearances and New York Times Feat. December 6, 2000

Source: All About Jazz

Singer-Pianist Dena DeRose Celebrates I Can See Clearly Now with Appearances and New York Times Feature.

Sharp 9 Records recording artist Dena DeRose is pleased to announce that she will be profiled by Terry Teachout in the New York Times Arts and Leisure section, Sunday December 24th, 2000.

Dena will also be featured in the February issue of Down Beat magazine in its Players section.

To celebrate the release of her new Sharp 9 CD, I Can See Clearly Now, ...
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