Music
Press
“Introducing DJ Gosper… I don’t understand how she has been overlooked. With her voice and harmonica playing, she should be at the top level of Australian performers. I am thrilled to have her performing at our festival.” - The Milton Theatre and Kidgeridge Festival
“Why oh why? Why don’t we hear more of this sort of singer/musician instead of the vapid garbage so often played? …If you love your music from women with grit and determination then DJ Gosper is for you…!” - iTunes Reviewer
"Since her return to the stage, breast cancer survivor, DJ Gosper, performs with a passion that know no tomorrow." - The Folkus Room
"DJ Gosper showed us that as well as being a great blues singer, she is one of the hottest harp players around..." - Canberra Blues Society
"DJ is one of Australia's best harmonica players and has the voice of a blues diva!" - The Merry Muse
"One of the best voices I have ever heard... and sensational blues harp. Whatever you do, you absolutely must see DJ..."
- Artsound FM92.7
“DJ Gosper… a convincing songwriter…” “…remarkably talented singer and blues harp player.”
“…Gosper’s backing quintet displays a high level of musicianship at every turn…”
“…guitarist Christo Carlsen evokes the moody blues of Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green.”
“…Gosper’s blues is a platform where she connects with her audience, lightheartedly baring her soul without any pretentiousness.” - Rhythms
“I’d like to shout out loud about DJ’s GREAT voice! ““…endlessly versatile and amazingly variable…"“
“I highly recommend DJ Gosper and her band.” “stunning harp” “sensational guitar”…
- Culturazi Review of Hot Flush Blues CD Launch
“DJ has a fine, rich, powerful voice and also plays a mean Blues harmonica. Her live performances are full of energy and natural, open-hearted emotion.”
- Artsound FM92.7
Discography
KarismaKatz - Spirit On The Rise Independent 2008
DJ Gosper - Hot Flush Blues Independent 2009
KarismaKatz - JAZZ Independent 2010
Photos
Bio
Note: DJ is now DeeJay. Her real name is Dorothy-Jane but everyone calls her DJ. She's changed to the new stylish spelling 'DeeJay' in the hope that she won't continue to be confused with a disc jockey...
Also Note: The band names 'KarismaKatz' and 'Hot Flush Blues' are being phased out and replaced with 'The DeeJay Gosper Band'. Apologies for any inconsistencies in the transition period.
After spending 2007 to 2008 recovering from breast cancer, DJ is“performing with a passion that knows no tomorrow.” (Bill Arnett, the Folkus Room, Canberra).
Gosper says “Before cancer I was a part-time musician with dreams of becoming full time. My career was just beginning to take flight when I was diagnosed. While the illness, surgery and treatment, has set back my career, it has also fired me up to live my dreams. I am now a full-time Musician, and as tough as it is I’m loving every minute of it!”
Her professional musical career began in 1995 fronting The Dynamic Lifters as singer, harmonica and keyboard player (she studied Classical and modern piano for 11 years). This band exposed DeeJay to a range of music, from original songs to obscure Folk songs to Pub-rock and Blues-rock covers and helped her to begin her journey toward finding her own sound.
As member of renowned vocal trio The Blues Cowgirls from 2002 – 2005, DeeJay played at various Australian Blues and Folk festivals. The independent release of ‘Ask Any Woman’ was awarded "Best CD of the Year" by Canberra Roots Music.
She formed KarismaKatz (now called the DeeJay Gosper Band) in 2004. This group is one of Canberra’s hardest working bands with a reputation for being original, versatile, quirky and thoroughly entertaining.
DeeJay’s harmonica, vocal and songwriting talents have been recognised over the years through 6 awards from the Canberra Blues Society including Best Blues Album “Hot Flush Blues”.
Her distinctive harmonica style has developed over the years. Influences have included Sonny Terry, Jim Conway and Charlie Musselwhite. These days she doesn’t try to sound like anyone else. She just plays!
While DeeJay gains most recognition through her Blues music, she earns her living, predominantly through performing mainstream Jazz (originals and covers).
Her vocal style has been influenced by many of the great Jazz and Blues singers including Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Ma Rainey, Carmen McRae and Barbara Morrison.
DeeJay has shared the stage with Fiona Boyes, Dutch Tilders, Jim Conway, Damon Davies, Damian Coen, Dave O’Neill, Kate Meehan, Jan Preston, Glen Terry and the USA’s Eugene Hideaway-Bridges and Austin Walking Cane.
Blues Awards
2005: The independent release of The Blues Cowgirls CD ‘Ask Any Woman’ was awarded "Best CD of the Year" by Canberra Roots Music.
2007: Canberra Blues Society Blues Awards: "Best Vocalist", "Best Instrumentalist" and "Best Song" (Burn Baby Burn, co-written with Christo Carlsen).
2009: With a record number of entrants in 2009, DJ again scooped the Canberra Blues Society Blues Awards this time winning Female Blues Vocalist, Blues Song “Baby Rose” (co-written with Lynnie Gosper) and Best Blues Album “Hot Flush Blues”.
Links
