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Los Angeles-based Denise Donatelli is a multi-GRAMMY® nominated jazz vocalist alternating between jazz and adult contemporary music. Donatelli's last three recordings Find a Heart (2015), Soul Shadows (2012), and >b>When Lights are Low (2010) have collectively received four GRAMMY® nominations. Recent live performance highlights include her concert with legendary trumpeter Bobby Shew's band in performance with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra as a part of the Prague Proms, an annual music festival. Denise has received many favorable reviews for her work on Bill Cunliffe's CD BACHanalia, including jazz critic Ric Bang saying in Jazz Scan that Denise "has a gorgeous voice, hits every note dead-on, and is a true swinger." Denise has been rated regularly as a top Rising Star Female Vocalists in the Annual DownBeat Critic's Poll.
Whistling In the Dark – The Music of Burt Bacharach (2021) is Denise Donatelli's first concept album devoted to a single composer and her debut recording with legendary 4-time GRAMMY® winning producer Larry Klein.
Track Listing
1. Whistling in the Dark
2. The Look of Love
3. In Between the Heartaches
4. Toledo
5. Anyone Who Had A Heart
6. Walk On By
7. In The Darkest Place
8. Mexican Divorce
9. A House is Not a Home
Recorded live at the Village Studios in Los Angeles on October 2020, Denise's her warm vocal elegance is supported by Klein’s hand selected all-star jazz/pop quartet of himself on bass, Larry Goldings on piano and organ, Anthony Wilson on guitar, and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.
“Denise Donatelli simply does everything right. Even better, her taste in material is immaculate...If you want something besides Krall and Monheit, give this lady a listen. You won't be disappointed." - Jazzweekly
"With so many jazz vocalists competing for attention, Denise Donatelli easily stands out from the pack with her versatile, creative repertoire and strong voice."
- Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
"No Better" Denise Donatelli…Donatelli's glowing, gently melancholy take on the Jonatha Brooke song is on best jazz vocal album contender Soul Shadows." - Elysa Gardner, USA Today
Denise Donatelli, 'Soul Shadows' (Savant Records) – “She has hooked up with excellent pianist Geoffrey Keezer before. Great musical pair. Keezer provides just the right landscapes—intricate, intelligent, but something the bones can feel. And Donatelli steps in with class and style and makes it a full painting. Great selection of seldom heard tunes, save "Too Late Now," which is also a treat because it's an exquisite duet between Donatelli's rich voice and Keezer's luscious piano sound. A Grammy should go here, but she's least known among the Grammy people of those nominated.”
- AllAboutJazz.com, Editor's Choice
Written by R. J. DeLuke, R.J. DeLuke's Best Recordings of 2012
“Donatelli can go in many directions and make you glad for going there.” – Karl Stark, Philadelphia Inquirer
"A great follow-up to her Grammy-nominated CD, When Lights are Low, the new project, 'Soul Shadows', is rich with production and arrangements by the brilliant Geoff Keezer, and wonderfully executed by a gifted vocalist. Denise surely has more Grammy nominations in her future." – Amazon.com
"Donatelli has a marvelous instrument, blessed with a honey and cognac sound, effortless range, and the capacity to articulate every note - whether Autobahn cruising or on-the-beach strolling - with relaxed precision." - Don Heckman, International Review of Music
"Denise Donatelli is a musician´s singer . . . The lady does it all, but not all at once. Each tune is given a personal reading that reflects the composer, lyricist, arranger and accompanist's intent while retaining her own individuality and identity! I haven't heard such vocal artistry since Irene Kral." – Phil Woods
“Working with Denise at JazzFest Falmouth was a genuine pleasure. Not many vocalists have truly arresting voices. Denise does. Just as important from a producer's point of view, she is relaxed, sensible and completely without drama…This CD (Find a Heart) has Grammy written all over it." - Roger Day, Producer, JazzFest Falmouth, MA, October 2015
"The field of jazz vocals has been needing a fresh approach, and Donatelli's sharp focus here on pop-oriented songs delivered in a contemporary jazz manner brings that. The caveat here is that she steps far afield of the maudlin state of 'contemporary jazz,' making something that might be seen as a savior to adult contemporary music."
- C. Michael Bailey, Blogcritics, CD Review, Find a Heart, Editor Picks
“Multi-Grammy nominee vocalist Denise Donatelli, unveils another gem of an album...‘Find A Heart’ is simply put, an outstanding vocal recording that takes Denise Donatelli's performance to another level.” – Edward Blanco, All About Jazz
“Denise Donatelli, one of today's premier vocalists, alternating between jazz and adult contemporary with ease, has been on quite a roll!. . . With the release of ‘Find a Heart”, Donatelli once again proves why she is the subject of such accolades.” - JazzCorner.com
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