This album is a showcase of Denise's immense musical talent. It highlights the history of her journey with roots in classical, country, jazz and pop. As a composer, pianist and vocalist, she brings her unique signature to each song. She is a storyteller chronicling her experiences and sharing intimacies with us. 'Don't Trust Cowboys' is a tribute to her father and the pioneering spirit of America. 'Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Man' tells every woman's story - in the cadence of rap - of being just plain fed up with a relationship gone bad. Conversely, 'Ungu Moya' is a haunting paean to the beauty of true love. Each track creates a presence informed by time, place and experience- casting free the bonds of genre to liberate a truly amazing musican in the expression of her vision. The album features 44 world renown musicians including a 21 piece string orchestra, 3 rhythm sections and 6 guest vocalists. It was recorded between London and New Orleans. Michael Pellera, piano; Johnny Vidacovich. Drums; Chris Severin, bass;Mbulelo Ndabeni, voice; Troy Banarzi, melodica; Joseph Meyer, Gabriel Platica,Elizabeth Overweg, Harry Hardin, Zorica Dimova, Razvan Constantin, Kate Withrow, Paula Bujes,violins; Lauren Lemmler, Teodora Peeva, Bruce Owen, Amelia Clingman, Jivka Jeleva, Monica de la Hoz, violas; Dennis Parker, Jee Yeoun Ko, Dimitri Vychko, David Rosen, cellos; David Anderson, Bill Shettler, double bass; Ben McKone, drums; James McKone, bass; Basil Black, percussion;Tim Green, tenor; Wilmer Sifontes, percussion;Diego Laverde Rojas, Celtic harp; Adrian Lever, acoustic guitar; Adam Crowe, electric guitar;Adam Hayes, drum effects and loops;Steven Collazo, vocals;Linda Hayes, Steve Stapley, Tommy Blaize, singers Mbulelo Ndabeni, voice; Mixed by NJA Niall John Acott, London; Adam Crowe, London, Denise,Alice's Loft Music, London, mastered by Ray Staff, Air Studios, London US vocalist and composer Denise began writing and playing music at the age of ten. By 14, she was playing professionally in New York, and went on to major in piano and composition at the famous Berklee College of Music. In the 1990s she came under the wing of legendary pianist Ellis Larkin, whose richly sophisticated harmonies became a trademark of her compositional style. She sang with him and many of the world's finest pianists in NYC, performing at clubs such as 'The Village Vanguard', 'The Bitter End' and 'The Carnegie Tavern'. She also studied harmony with renowned tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, who is featured on her latest CD 'Naked Truth'. Her influences include the folk/jazz style of Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro, the Motown pop of Steve Wonder, and jazz artists such as Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis. Although a native of New York, Denise lived in New Orleans for five years, becoming a favorite featured artist at the city's premier jazz club 'Snug Harbor', and recording all three of her CDs there. She has been a featured artist in many world-renowned jazz venues, across the USA, in Paris, in Australia and at London's Pizza Express on Dean Street. Denise's orchestral music is stamped by her jazz-rhythmic and harmonic elements. Her commissions include the world premier chamber piece entitled A Greek in New York, which was performed in St Pauls Church, Covent Garden, London as well as the world premier of Heart Without Measure which was performed and commissioned by violinist' Orpheus Papafilippou's The Brunelleschi String Quartet,to accompany the premier exhibition of Artist Joshua Whiskey's Painting, Icarus (the Quartet's inspiration). Denise has recently been commissioned to write a piece for the Duo LaRe's new CD entitled after her piece In other words featuring Chris Acquavella and Nate Jarrell. Her productions and compositions are included in our portfolio page.
