Denise Thimes

After describing her brilliant voice as a perfect mix of “Ella, Sassy, Lady Day, Nancy, Dianne, and Carmen, to name a few” it came only naturally that legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry would, at New York’s historic Flushing Town Hall, select Denise Thimes as that night’s guest vocalist. Even sharing the stage with such jazz greats as Dr. Billy Taylor, Earl May, Benny Powell, Jimmy Heath and Tootie Heath couldn’t hinder the rising star, who dazzled the audience once more, bringing them to their feet for yet another series of standing ovations.

Throughout 2006, Thimes astounded audiences all over the world with some of the most prominent names in jazz including Clark Terry, James Moody, Kevin Mohogony and several other NEA Jazzmasters. This Flushing Hall high note in November came as the perfect finale to what was clearly an admirable year for Denise, and yet, she was just getting started. For Thimes, 2006 served as but a glimpse of what was to come.

This truly inspirational and unique artist is often asked by fellow noteworthy musicians “why haven’t we heard of you?” Be patient. You will. With a voice that noticeably (as Terry puts it) “ranks with one of the greats,” it’s clear that Denise Thimes is unquestionably one of the fastest rising stars in modern jazz. So much, in fact, that when Queen Elizabeth II made her highly publicized visit to the United States in May of 2007, she hand-selected Denise as the entertainment for her private dinner gala with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush among many other esteemed guests.

An accomplished performer, Denise Thimes has always been destined for stardom. While many artists “dabble” in theater, Denise Thimes is an undisputed class act. She has toured both America and Europe with several critically acclaimed productions and is an 8-time Woodie Award recipient for both musicals and drama.

Whether headlining at the historic “Blue Note Jazz Club” in New York, conquering the national jazz festival scene, or sharing the stage with the legendary Tony Bennett, Denise Thimes has an unmistakable tendency to steal the show and astonish crowds of every size and background.

A graduate of Spelman College and an honorary member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated sorority, Denise Thimes lists her biggest influences as Marlena Shaw, Carmen McCrae, and her parents, the late Mildred Thimes and St. Louis radio personality Lou “Fatha” Thimes. When she is not wowing audiences with her talent, style and poise, she resides in St. Louis with her son and daughter.

In a career that spans over two decades, Denise has truly been one of the most cherished voices of modern jazz. With a number of distinguished gigs across the country and overseas already lined up, the rising first lady of jazz is unquestionably on the brink of certain stardom. As jazz aficionado Phoebe Jacobs stated following another famed New York show, “Denise Thimes is like Ella and Sarah born all over again.” It’s time for you to experience Denise Thimes.