Search - Dena Derose :: Introducing Dena DeRose

Dynamite Diva.

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 07/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would hate to put the hex on Dena Derose as a "musician's musician." Suffice it to say that many listeners may have to listen a bit more attentively than they would to some of her more "instantly accessible" peers. This album of 14 songs somehow manages to blend tight arrangements and free-swinging, spirited improvisation in just the right proportion.It's difficult to separate the vocal talents of Dena from her pianistic skills. The voice is used much like a horn, pitched more in the register of an alto than a tenor saxophone and with a "cool" yet attractive quality--like an Art Pepper solo.The liner notes mention influences as Ahmad Jamal and Red Garland. The former is evident in many of the arrangements--repeated latin figures in "Where or When," Ravel impressionism in "Come Rain or Come Shine," incantatory modal sections in "Blue Skies." But her piano work is definitely strongly rooted in Mile Davis' great piano man--from the widely-spaced chord voicings to the swinging, modern groove. And the way she spills across the bar lines of "Gone With the Wind"--vocally and instrumentally--is testimony to her sophisticated handling of time.The presence of the redoubtable Tootie Heath on this album is not simply a marketing gimmick. He's given considerable free rein and makes the most of each opportunity. And Steve Wilson's work on soprano, often reminiscent of Coltrane, is an ideal complement to a singer this adventurous, sophisticated, and advanced.My highest compliment will be appreciated only by close followers of the Chicago jazz scene for the past 30 years. Dena's vocal quality and piano chops, along with her ability to assemble the swingingest, hippest rhythm sections available, place her shoulder to shoulder with Judy Roberts. In these culturally impoverished times, when musicians seem to succeed either as media "stars" or academic "clinicians," I still dare to hope there are venues capable of supporting artists like Dena and Judy."

What an Introduction!

Steve Emerine | Tucson, AZ United States | 01/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sharp Nine Records came up with a real gem when it introduced Chicago singer-pianist Dena DeRose with this CD in 1998. The hour of music beginning with "When Lights Are Low" and ending with "Every Time We Say Goodbye" shows off her extraordinary keyboard talents and her pleasing vocal stylings to great advantage. Drummer Tootie Heath,saxophonist Steve Wilson and bassist Michael Zisman round out the Dena's quartet. Today (January 2001), she can be found on three Sharp Nine CDs, each better than the one that preceded it. My only regret is that I was three years late in discovering the initial effort. I envy the jazz vocal fans who found this treasure in the beginning."

Introducing ... Dena Derose.

D. Macdonald | Johannesburg - South Africa | 10/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A spare afternoon in November 1998. A bargain bin in an out of town Denver store. A special at 99c. Nothing to lose. This was my serendipitous discovery of this truly remarkable debut album by one of America's treasures (so I'm a foreigner). Right through from the opening notes of When Lights are Low to the closing of Every Time We Say Goodbye, Dena Derose proves worthy of the company she keeps, and unthinkably at first (just look who we're talking about here) they too of hers. To be given a vocal talent, which shows it's depth and versatility in each of the fourteen tracks would be enough for most. To discover that Derose also does arrangements and has a mean ability to stroke the ivories (you wouldn't use the word tickle, it would be too frivolous) elevates her a level where it would be foolish to compare her to any other artist (and I know some have). Derose fits any mood any place any time. I've lounged to her sounds at midnight, prepared sales presentations and discovered the real reason why a laptop needs a cd drive. A traffic jam has a different ambience when you have the right company. I have waited for follow up recordings, thank goodness there has been one (with Another World). Now, I see that a third album is in the works. (Link to I Can See Clearly Now). I hope the release date is near, but whenever it'll be worth the wait ... and if the price is a bit above 99c, Dena Derose will be worth that too. Trust me."