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Denise Donatelli
Denise’s four recordings, Soul Shadows (Savant Records, September 2012), When Lights are Low (Savant Records 2010), What Lies Within (Savant Records 2008), and In the Company of Friends (Jazzed Media 2005), have consistently topped the National Jazz Week radio charts. Her Grammy Nominated recording When Lights are Low peaked at #2 and remained on the chart for 23 weeks. It resurfaced 28 weeks later where it remained for another 7 weeks. Soul Shadows is another collaboration with 2-time Grammy nominated pianist, composer, arranger, Geoffrey Keezer. KSJS- FM Radio Programmer, Dr. Brad Stone considers Soul Shadows to be “Simply her best work to date!”
Denise also appears as guest vocalist on Grammy Award Winner Bill Cunliffe's Christmas recording, That Time of Year. (2011).
In addition to Denise’s 2010 and 2012 Grammy Nominations, The Los Angeles Jazz Society has honored Denise with their 2012 Jazz Vocalist of the Year award.
Denise tours extensively, performing at jazz festivals, jazz clubs, performing art centers, and with university jazz bands where she conducts master clinics.
Donatelli’s innate musicianship and pure tone have won her spots singing for episodes of The Simpsons, television promos for Frasier, Card Sharks and Turner Classic Movies and has appeared in national and international commercials for CNN, Hyundai, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz among others.
Awards
55th Grammy Awards Nominee 53rd Grammy Awards nominee for "Best Jazz Vocal Album" L.A. Jazz Society Honoree for "2012 Jazz Vocalist of the Year" 61st Annual Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll "Rising Star Female Jazz Vocalist" list top ten.
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Denise Donatelli: Whistling in the Dark... The Music of Burt Bacharach
by Edward Blanco
Multi Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli joins forces with Grammy Award-Winning record producer Larry Klein to offer her first concept album devoted to single composer on the soft-textured Whistling in The Dark... the music of Burt Bacharach. The music from one of the greatest song writers in American musical history, was something both Donatelli and bassist/producer Klein had in common. Klein had stated that Bacharach's music “has been a part of [his] musical DNA...," while the vocalist affirmed that she ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli: Whistling in the Dark... The Music of Burt Bacharach
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The Burt Bacharach canon has always been fertile ground for artists of all kinds to explore. Stan Getz devoted an entire album to his fare. The big Bacharach hits are branded deep in the cultural psyche. Thus, the challenge that Grammy-nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli and producer Larry Klein have here is how to use a different ladle to invite you to imbibe from their recipe for Bacharach's musical champagne. The session offers four Bacharach/Hal David hits--three hits ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli at Mezzrow
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Denise Donatelli with Geoffrey Keezer Keezer and Ron Blake MezzrowNew York, NY January 7, 2019 The intimate vibe at Club Mezzrow is hands-down the perfect musical playground for the versatile talents of Denise Donatelli, Geoffrey Keezer and Ron Blake--the skills of which were eminently displayed during the trio's opening set last evening. Ms. Donatelli yet again demonstrated that she is a vastly talented and engaging vocal artist--one who absolutely revels in such ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli: Find a Heart
by Edward Blanco
Multi Grammy nominee vocalist Denise Donatelli, unveils another gem of an album with the much-anticipated Find A Heart, collaborating once again with producer/arranger, pianist Geoffrey Keezer documenting a surprisingly new direction for the singer as she ventures into the non-standards area. The Great American Songbook will always be with us, here to stay forever as new re-interpretations of classics emerge every day. This project finds the vocalist and pianist exploring new territory as they take the music of modern pop ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli: Find a Heart
by Nicholas F. Mondello
There was once a best-selling non-fiction book titled The Road Less Traveled (Simon & Schuster, 1978). In it, author, M. Scott Peck, discussed human potential. With Find a Heart vocalist Denise Donatelli and her frequent collaborator, pianist Geoffrey Keezer, explore a repertoire that is unchartered for a jazzer. And, the decision to venture on this musical path yields a fascinating and beautifully rewarding aural journey. The L.A.-based singer, Grammy-nominated multiple times, is as good here as she's ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli and Janis Mann at Charlie O's, May 20, 2011
by Chuck Koton
Denise Donatelli Charlie O's Van Nuys, CA May 20, 2011 The Los Angeles area is blessed with the presence of many talented vocalists--drawn, no doubt, by both the Mediterranean climate and the abundance of studio work. In May, a pair of transplanted East Coast songbirds, Denise Donatelli and Janis Mann, warbled their way through several spirited and memorable sets at Charlie O's in the San Fernando Valley.Donatelli, an Atlanta native whose recording, When Lights Are ...
Continue ReadingDenise Donatelli: Songbird With A Grammy Nomination
by Marcia Hillman
Los Angeles-based vocalist Denise Donatelli won a Grammy nomination with her third CD, When Lights Are Low (Savant Records, 2010). An East Coast native and a recipient of classical piano training, she turned to singing jazz, wound up relocating to the West Coast and has since pursued her performance and recording career. This interview was conducted shortly after her Grammy weekend experience. All About Jazz: Talk a little about your musical background. Denise Donatelli: I was ...
Continue Reading"Find A Heart" February 9-13 With 2016 Best Jazz Vocal Grammy Nominee Denise Donatelli
Source:
EastWest Media
Denise Donatelli, who garnered her third consecutive GRAMMY Nomination this year in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for her latest recording, Find A Heart, will take us on a “Big Noise/New York” tour of Manhattan with performances at five different jazz venues. Donatelli will perform with her superb band featuring Laurence Hobgood, piano; Lage Lund, guitar; Ed Howard, bass; and Jon Wikan, drums at the following venues: BIG NOISE/NEW YORK TOUR OF MANHATTAN – DENISE DONATELLI- FEBRUARY 9th – ...
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Multiple Grammy Nominee, Vocalist Denise Donatelli Releases Her Highly Anticipated New Recording, "Find A Heart" September 18th On Savant Records
Source:
EastWest Media
Fifth Solo Album Expands Great American Songbook and Embraces Work of Modern Master Composers Beck, David Crosby, Donald Fagan, Sting, The Yellowjackets and Rock Powerhouse Journey. Features All-Star Cast of Musicians With Special Guest Appearance By Chris Botti Denise Donatelli, one of today’s premiere vocalists, alternating between jazz and adult contemporary with ease, has been on quite a roll! Her last two consecutive albums have received three Grammy nominations. She has been voted into the Downbeat Critics Poll as Female ...
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Grammy Nominated Denise Donatelli’s " Soul Shadows " 2012-2013 CD Release Tour To Launch On October 12-13, 2012 At Vitello's Jazz & Supper Club In Los Angeles
Source:
April Williams
Grammy nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli releases new recording Soul Shadows on Savant Records. “Donatelli rises towards the highest levels of the jazz vocal art" —Don Heckman “Donatelli slides between the role of singer and musician with the cool acrobatics of an athlete.” —John McDonough, DOWNBEAT “Denise Donatelli triumphs!” —Jonathan Takiff, Philadelphia Inquirer “The stellar, sensitive playing by all members of her band had to be top notch to mesh with Denise’s nonpareil vocal abilities. Simply her best work to date! ...
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Grammy Nominated Vocalist Denise Donatelli Releases New Recording "Soul Shadows" on Savant Records. Musical Direction by Geoffrey Keezer
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Los Angeles-based vocalist Denise Donatelli won a Grammy nomination with her second Savant CD, When Lights Are Low (Savant SCD 2109). An East Coast native and a recipient of classical piano training, she turned to singing jazz, wound up relocating to the West Coast and has pursued her performance and recording career ever since.? Possessing a voice of exceptional nuance, agility and unerring pitch, Denise is able to imbue whatever she chooses to sing with her special warmth, wit and ...
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The Denise Donatelli Quartet Plays Charlie O's Jazz Club
Source:
All About Jazz
Born in Allentown, Penn., Denise Donatelli was drenched in music from an early age. She has performed in jazz clubs and jazz festivals across the country.
Her first CD, In the Company of Friends, was released in 2005 on the Jazzed Media label and her 2008 release, What Lies Within on the Savant Records label, debuted on the National Jazz Week Chart at #15 and peaked at #11.
Her upcoming release with pianist, composer/arranger, Geoffrey Keezer, is scheduled for an ...
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Denise Donatelli: One of the Best Jazz Singers
Source:
All About Jazz
I've been DJ'ing a jazz radio show for almost 20 years now and I always love “discovering" a new artist. Quite often, those “new" artists have been performing for years, and I just haven't been fortunate enough to hear them.
One such artist is Denise Donatelli. Born to a musical family in Allentown, Pa., Denise started playing piano at three. She studied classical piano for years and won several awards. However, she discovered early on that her real “love" was ...
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Denise Donatelli Birthday Bash
Source:
All About Jazz
Denise Donatelli Birthday Bash! Thursday May 27th 8PM to Midnight
Come Celebrate with Denise and Friends at the famous Charlie O's in the Valley.
Hip Music, Great Vibes and oh yeah..The Cake!
Denise Donatelli vocals (AKA Birthday Girl) Andy Langham, piano Hamilton Price, bass Kevin Kanner, drums
Thursday May 27th Charlie O's Jazz Bar and Grill 13725 Victory Blvd. Van Nuys CA 818/989-3110
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Charlie O's May Jazz Dates
Source:
All About Jazz
Charlie O's is an intimate jazz club and restaurant originally established in 1987. We have been presenting live jazz performances seven nights a week from 8 PM to Midnight since August 17, 2000.
A great Intimate jazz club in the Valley Chuck Niles
Charlie O's May 2010 Schedule
May 1 Lanny Morgan John Heard Trio with Kevin Brandon, Roy McCurdy May 2 Closed Sundays May 3 Theo ...
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Denise Donatelli Valentines Dates
Source:
All About Jazz
Spazio Friday, February 12 8:00pm - 12am
Denise Donatelli - vocals, Otmaro Ruiz - piano, Hamilton Price - bass and Aaron Serfaty - drums
Spazio Jazz and Supper Club 14755 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 728-8400
Happy Valentines Day! KJAZZ 88.1 FM presents Valentine's Day Jazz Dinner
Sunday, February 14 6pm - 9pm
Denise Donatelli - vocals, Otmaro Ruiz - piano, Hamilton ...
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"There’s absolutely nothing shadowy but plenty sublime in Denise Donatelli’s latest recording, Soul Shadows." ~ Nick Mondello, Jazz Times
“An impressive showcase for Donatelli’s virtuosity and sheer musicianship ... Donatelli slides between the role of singer and musician with the cool acrobatics of an athlete.“ ~ John McDonough, DOWNBEAT
"The Keezer-Donatelli collaboration proves to be a winning combination once again as the Grammy attention about When Lights are Low most certainly affirms. There are no low lights here, as Denise Donatelli's star continues to rise and, with this recording, shine brightly." ~ Ed Blanco, ALL ABOUT JAZZ
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Denise Donatelli
Location: Bethlehem
Instrument: Vocals
Born: May 26
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
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