Donna Deussen

Artist Information

Biography

Jazz Vocalist DONNA DEUSSEN is a California native, but spent much of her childhood in rural New Hampshire. She began taking piano lessons at age 7, and began taking her love of singing seriously in high school, where she was admitted to the All-New England Choir both her junior and senior years. She attended and graduated magna cum laude in 1989 from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, with a degree in songwriting.

After college, she moved to Los Angeles, and began performing, writing, and recording all styles of contemporary music, including pop, R&B, country, rock, folk, and, of course, jazz.

Donna has performed at a wide variety of venues in the Southern California area, including: Holly Street Bar & Grill, Spazio Restaurant, Millenium Biltmore Hotel, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Auditorium, The Palace, The Cinegrill, Lunaria’s, The Jazz Bakery, Cal Tech Summer Jazz Series, Monteleone’s, Sportsman’s Lodge, The Other Side, L.A. Cabaret, The Money Tree, The Gardenia Room, Portofino on Pine, Luna Park, Fox & Hound, and many more.

In Arizona, she has performed at most of the major venues in the city, including the Phoenician Hotel, the Ritz Carlton Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel, and the Rio Verde Country Club, to name just a few. She also recently headlined at Johnny’s Uptown Supper Club.

In April 2003, Donna’s long-awaited debut jazz CD, “High Wire” was released. It reflects her command of a vast range of styles, from samba to the blues. It showcases some of LA's best musicians: Mark Massey on keyboards, Aldo Bentivegna on drums, Anders Swanson on bass, and Eric Marienthal on saxaphone. “High Wire” features all-original arrangements by Donna and Mark Massey, including a “Weather Report” inspired version of “Nature Boy” and a jazz rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River.” The CD has been garnering favorable reviews, and is getting airplay on many jazz radio stations, including KKJZ Long Beach, KCLU Thousand Oaks, KBEM Minneapolis, WAER Syracuse, WICN Worchester MA, SkyJazz Internet Radio, CFRC Radio Ontario Canada, WTJU Charlottesville VA, WPKN Bridgeport CT, and Radio LaGuagua Argentina! “High Wire” is available online at www.cdbaby.com/deussen.

Donna has performed and recorded with the top studio musicians in L.A., including those who have worked with/toured with Chick Corea, Sarah Vaughan, Poncho Sanchez, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Tierney Sutton, Jack Jones, Tom Jones, Melissa Manchester, Jean-Luc Ponty, the Righteous Brothers, the Coasters, the Platters, The Crystals, The Shirelles, Englebert Humperdinck, and many many more.

Donna has recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, but is still performing in the Southern California area. For booking or further information, please contact deussend@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.donnadeussen.com.

Instrumentation

Donna Deussen - jazz vocals
I have several different musicians that I can throw into the mix: Dave Baradic on keys, or Jacob Koller, or Mark DeCozio, or Nick Manson...
I can work in a standup bass player (Andrew Jones, or Mike King are both excellent players) and a drummer (love working with John Lewis, or Dom Moio, or Andy Ziker). And to round out the sound, I can bring in a sax player (Andy Gross, Mary Petrich, or Jerry Donato are all great!)

Discography

"High Wire" 2003
(featuring ERIC MARIENTHAL (Chick Corea Elektric Band) on sax.)
Mark Massey - keys
Anders Swanson - bass
Aldo Bentivegna - drums
The CD has been getting airplay on many stations around the world, including:
KKJZ Long Beach, KCLU Thousand Oaks, KBEM Minneapolis, WAER Syracuse, WICN Worchester MA, SkyJazz Internet Radio, CFRC Radio Ontario Canada, WTJU Charlottesville VA, WPKN Bridgeport CT, and Radio LaGuagua Argentina.

Official Website

http://www.donnadeussen.com

Audio

• Blues In The Night
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• One Note Samba
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• Nature Boy
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• High Wire
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• River
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• Old Devil Moon
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• Skylark
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• Sugar
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• EuroClubdeJazz Review [+ Show ]
  

  Donna Deussen is a graduate of the Berklee School Of Music in Boston and started performing in vario...Donna Deussen is a graduate of the Berklee School Of Music in Boston and started performing in various pop, rock and country bands in her native Los Angeles before slotting in to the jazz idiom.
  She is obviously influenced by Latin music (but who isn't) and starts the album with a fine up tempo version of Mendoca / Jobim's 'One Note Samba', and anyone will tell you who has sung the vocal version, it is a feat on its own to get all the lyrics out in the racing tempo. Eric Marienthal guests in the bridge here with a free flowing exchange which follows on from some excellent piano work from Mark Massey.
  Donna sings a Latin rendition of the 'Harburg / Lane' classic 'That Old Devil Moon' which is original and her subtle vocal nuisances and elegant paraphrasing provide a similar patina to that of a Laverne Butler or Joni Mitchell.
  The album's highlight for me is her version of Frank Loesser's 'Never Will I Marry' when she shows her spontaneous energy and ability for dramatizing the lyrics in this wonderful jazz classic which again features some tight piano trio accompaniment.
  Donna has some engaging melodies on this set, none more intriguing than 'Nature Boy'. This shows her creativity in an arrangement which oozes class throughout.
  A creditable first outing from one of L A's up and coming singers and I for one, will look forward to the follow up album.
  
  

• CDBaby.com [+ Show ]
  

  Two Thumbs WAYYY Up! “This is easily one of the most enjoyable CD's I've heard all year......Two Thumbs WAYYY Up!
  
  “This is easily one of the most enjoyable CD's I've heard all year...I hear a lot and don't get the urge to write about many, but I just have to spread the word on this one. Donna gets it ALL exactly right; her pitch, rhythm, and most importantly her feel for these songs is right on target as she sings in a variety of styles. Her voice is always pleasing, and she gets vocally creative without wandering into diva territory. Her backing trio is powerfully subtle, lending support and flexing their own muscles while staying true to the composition. Great production (also by Ms. Deussen) makes a perfect blending of all the elements. Highlights? Every track! I'll be spinning this one a LOT, and recommend it very highly.”

• Review of "River" [+ Show ]
  

  “The track (‘River’) sounds lovely. [Donna’s] voice is luminous - love the clear, open tone and gra...“The track (‘River’) sounds lovely. [Donna’s] voice is luminous - love the clear, open tone and graceful phrasing… excellent choice for a jazz cover… superb backing players who bring a fresh vibe to the song. The track sounds radio ready.”
  

• Disc Chat [+ Show ]
  

  “.. [An] exquisite vocal jazz album… spirited and sexy… the 12-track CD presents the work of such gr...“.. [An] exquisite vocal jazz album… spirited and sexy… the 12-track CD presents the work of such greats as Lerner and Loewe, Irving Berlin… there are also some surprises present: a sultry, sensuous treatment of Joni Mitchell’s “River”… Mention must be made of her tight backing band, with special guest Eric Marienthal on sax … the sound quality is wonderful and the imaging puts the whole 45-minute performance right in your living room!”

• Various CD Purchasers [+ Show ]
  

  “I got your CD on Friday and it was a real treat. You sound great. I really enjoyed hearing you and ...“I got your CD on Friday and it was a real treat. You sound great. I really enjoyed hearing you and your band sounds great... What a great choice of tunes, a nice variety. I really like your style and interpretation… nice scat on Blue Skies.”
  -Ernie Mills, trombonist, Tamworth, N.H.
  
  “Your CD is wonderful! Talk about singing with conviction... Love the arrangements on Nature Boy and Sugar. .. But, mostly I love the way you SING…”
  -Julie Kelly, jazz vocalist, Los Angeles, CA
  
  “We received your CD and enjoyed listening to it over dinner last night… You have evolved into quite a jazz singer and you and the ensemble sound great… think you have really found your niche doing jazz. It is really a finer art form and you have the talent to do it.”
  -Nancy Bloomer, composer, Palo Alto, CA
  
  “Just wanted to tell you that your CD is quite cool!… In particular: Skylark, Sugar, Blue Skies, Show Me, Every Breath…”
  -Harald Nieuwland, Chesieres, Switzerland
  
  “Listened to the album. Kicks ass. Great! Congrats! You sound fabulous. I like all the cuts, but I think Blues in the Night and the Chick Corea tune are my favorites… I must say that all my friends who have seen the record want to pounce on you..."sexy voice" comments abound. Also - "great singer" ... "sounds like a musician…”
  - Mark Massey, jazz pianist, Long Beach, CA
  
  “…I must say I enjoyed [the CD] very much… You have a lovely, sultry, voice, and I enjoyed the unusual arrangements.”
  -Roy Sykes, Los Angeles CA
  
  “Wow! I am really impressed with your CD! Your voice has really matured, and you have a great style. Your band plays very well…Again, congratulations on a great job.”
  -Mike Hathaway, Madison, N.H.
  
  “I've listened to the CD several times and enjoyed it. Very ambitious. Nature Boy is really in your groove, vocally and expression wise. You seemed loose yet intense. What we all aspire to…”
  -Ken Okuno, guitarist, Pasadena, CA
  
  “Your CD is amazing! You sound WONDERFUL! The arrangements - terrific with a very professional sounding CD. It sounds as good as anything you hear on the jazz/standards radio. Excellent job! We listen to it a lot!”
  -Ann Raziel, Venice, CA

• John McDonough [+ Show ]
  

  "I regularly read obituaries on the demise of the American song canon. So why is it that so many of ..."I regularly read obituaries on the demise of the American song canon. So why is it that so many of best and smartest younger singers -- the real virtuosos who actually can sing -- keep doing them? Without getting nostalgic or academic about it, Donna Deussen nails a dozen ASCAP beauties on her High Wire CD with the cool assurance of a singer who also happens to be a musician of the very first order. That gives her a lot of resources to play with, especially when tackling an off-beat item like “Nature Boy”. A bright voice under the control of an agile musicianship and wise good taste."

Setlist

Over 4 hours of material - standards mixed with jazz-influenced pop tunes.
Current Song List includes, among many others:

1. OLD COUNTRY
2. VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
3. SUGAR
4. SOMETHING COOL
5. BETTER THAN ANYTHING
6. BLACK COFFEE
7. RIO DE JANEIRO BLUE
8. NICK OF TIME
9. SKYLARK
10. WATERS OF MARCH
11. NO MOON AT ALL
12. AGUA DE BEBER
13. BALTIMORE ORIOLE
14. JOY SPRING
15. CRAZY HE CALLS ME
16. ONE NOTE SAMBA
17. WHISPER NOT
18. LOST MIND
19. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
20. O PATO
21. BLUESETTE
22. KEEPING OUT OF MISCHIEF
23. TWISTED
24. HAVEN’T WE MET
25. IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN
26. BLUES IN THE NIGHT
27. STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT
28. GEORGIA
29. BEST IS YET TO COME
30. YOUR MIND IS ON VACATION
31. NEVER WILL I MARRY
32. ANGEL EYES
33. AT LAST
34. AUTUMN LEAVES
35. BABY PLAYS AROUND
36. BLUE SKIES
39. CAUGHT UP IN THE RAPTURE
40. DETOUR AHEAD
41. DON’T GO TO STRANGERS
42. DON’T KNOW WHY (N.JONES)
46. FRIM FRAM SAUCE
47. FROM NOW ON (BASIA)
48. GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE
49. HIGH WIRE
51. IN A LONELY PLACE
52. IS YOU IS
53. I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING
54. I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
56. LOVE ME LIKE A MAN (BLUES)
58. MASQUERADE IS OVER, THE
60. MOANIN’
61. MOONDANCE
63. MY MAN’S GONE NOW
64. NATURE BOY
65. NEARNESS OF YOU, THE
66. NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
67. OLD DEVIL MOON
68. PEEL ME A GRAPE
69. RIVER
70. ROAD’S MY MIDDLE NAME
72. ROUTE 66
73. SAVE YOUR LOVE FOR ME
74. SHOW ME
76. STORMY WEATHER
77. WHEN LIGHTS ARE LOW
78. WITH EVERY BREATH I TAKE
79. YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME
82. COME AWAY W/ ME (NORAH JONES)
83. CHANGE THE WORLD (CLAPTON)
84. DAT DERE
85. HONEYSUCKLE ROSE
86. OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
87. ALL BLUES
88. IN MY LIFE (BEATLES)
89. BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
90. FLY ME TO THE MOON
91. LADY IS A TRAMP
92. I CAN’T MAKE YOU LOVE ME
93. MAKING WHOOPEE (DUET)
94. WALTZ FOR DEBBY
95. COMES LOVE
96. TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE
97. ALMOST BLUE
98. I KEEP GOING BACK TO JOE’S
99. A LITTLE TEAR
100. CHEEK TO CHEEK
101. IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
102. No More Blues
103. Blame It On My Youth
104. Deed I Do
104. Do Wrong Shoes
106. And So It Goes
107. My Shining Hour
108. Everything (Michael Buble)
109. When In Rome
110. My Romance
111. I Remember You
112. Let’s Fall In Love
113. L-O-V-E
114. SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE
115. THIS MASQUERADE
116. LOVER MAN
117. SUMMERTIME
118. Girl From Ipanema
119. God Bless the Child

Basic Requirements

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