NEW!! Denise King Fan Club
Get free stuff, CD’s, newsletter and more!!
P.O. Box 16693
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Email DKsFanClub@aol.com
I’m influenced in some way by everything that I listen to, everything that I hear. Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Country, Classical, World, Ambient, the tinkling of a bell or ice in a glass...the sound of a hand on a drum...
Sounds Like
To Book Denise King please contact
REDDKING Entertainment deniseingjaz@aol.com or
Spaulding Entertainment Jazzyd1@aol.com
This is "The Singers Corner" at DK's spot. I'm happy to feature some of my favorites. Carrying a torch...keeping a tradition.
The Fabulous Betty"BeBop"Carter
The one and only Shirley Horn.
Sass Plays Piano AND Sings!!
Carmen McCrae
The Essence of Cool Billy Eckstine "Mr B"
Inm my humble opinion, Two of the most under appreciated singers are Johnny Hartman and Little Jimmy Scott...(check out Sammy on vibes)
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Scott and it was in a word amazing. A kind, soul who put every ounce of emotion into every song. God love him he's still performing
Check this out!! Amazing!!
Dear Jazz Lovers and Friends
Thank you for an amazing season. The musicians were fantastic and the music was just phenomenal. It sure is nice to see people dancing to Jazz again. And dance we did!! This season saw many new changes. A move to our beautiful new home in Cedar Park. A new fiscal sponsor and a huge growth in our musical family. We had approximately two hundred more listeners in attendance. That's fantastic! Our new playground and literacy program BeBop and books kept our youngsters entertained and READING!! Thanks to all who donated books and school supplies. While we usually give away much more, because of our budget issues we were only able to give away twenty bookbags complete with school supplies. My goal for next
year is fifty to a hundred.
I'd like to thank all of the sponsors who helped to make this event possible. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Spruce Hill Community Trust , UCD, Partnershio CDC, The Westside Weekly, Cedar Park Neighbors, The Bivins Family, Patrons of Friday Night Jazz and friends and neighbors who contributed to The Bucket Fund. I could not have done this without you and your help.
On another note, funding remains an issue. To continue to do this work, I need your help. Please consider becoming a patron of DK presents Friday Night Jazz @ Cedar Park. Your contribution will insure that this and other programs that I have planned will continue on for many years. For more information about becoming a patron please send me an email. I'll send you a sponsorship letter and any information relating to the series. Thanks for a great season. As ever and always "Let There Be Jazz!"
Musically Yours
Denise King
Malcolm X Park
For more information about FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ please visit
www.denisekingjazz.com and click the Friday Night Jazz link.
Hope to see you there.
I hope you enjoyed your visit...come back and see me sometimes
What These Orchids Say About You
You are exotic and intricately beautiful.
You possess a unique grace that's both delicate and strong.
You are thoughtful and refined. You are the definition of class.
Denise King
Jazz Vocalist/Community Activist/Producer
A Career Waiting To Happen.
One day a shy girl from West Philadelphia, PA, was sweeping her front stoop and sweetly singing "Summertime” when a guitarist/writer from Philadelphia International Records walked by and heard her singing. He was so impressed by what he heard that he auditioned her, hired her and the rest is history. That was the beginning of a singing career that would thrill people in Brazil, France, Africa, Japan, Turkey, and other places around the world. She was introduced to Jazz at age twelve by an uncle who had an extensive collection of Jazz LP’s. With no formal vocal instruction, it’s apparent that she was born to sing. Her "studies" involved hours of listening to the Jazz greats, both vocalists and instrumentalists. Denise borrowed phrasing styles from Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra. She gained an appreciation for lyrics from Lil Jimmy Scott, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McCrae and Nina Simone.
The early gigs were difficult in that she was painfully stage shy. But with the help of Sam Reed, sax man and leader of the legendary Uptown Theater Orchestra she overcame her stage fright. Her early experiences involved sharing the stage with many legends. Butch Ballard, Arthur Harper, Sam Dougherty, Cecil Payne, Jymie Merritt, Bootsie Barnes, Lex Humphries and many, many more. They taught her the importance of having something to say every time she stepped up to the microphone. Their instruction paid off. While performing at Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia, Denise met Dexter Wansel, writer, producer, which opened the door to many recording experiences at Philly International Records.
Denise King is a very passionate singer who has a way of pulling her audiences into her performances. Listening to her warm tone, impeccable phrasing, and the absolute control she has of her voice is mesmerizing. Whether she’s singing a Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan standard, or a Gladys Knight or Aretha Franklin cover, she puts her heart and soul into every note. When performing Gospel, people are surprised to learn that she did not get her start in the church. Denise has mastered the art of making a song her own no matter what the genre.
Over the years, she has shared the stage with such greats as Roy Hargrove, The Brecker Brothers, Phil Wright, Cecil McBee, Christian McBride, Orrin Evans, Lonnie Plaxico, Uri Caine, Sid Simmons, Dr. Guy Ramsey, J.D. Walter, Barbara Morrison, Derrick Hodge, Chris Beck, Billy Paul, Jean Carne, Celine Dion, Bunny Sigler and the list goes on and on. When performing with her band whether trio, quartet or quintet they are the driving force behind her and support every note. They instinctively know what she’s going to do next and meet her there with perfect timing. With a voice described as velvet smooth, she captivates you and holds you and takes you on an unforgettable musical journey. When in concert, it’s not unusual to see her break out into a dance on stage or with someone from the audience. Her shows are always energetic, fun and spontaneous. Passionate, romantic, playful, sincere. She is The King of Sing.
In nineteen ninety-nine after a tour in Germany Denise saw a need for more Jazz venues in her West Philadelphia community. It was disheartening that the music that was so dear to her heart was unavailable to her neighbors. It was equally as sad to know that children were not being exposed to the music that is a part of the fabric of the African American experience. High ticket prices, drink minimums made the music inaccessible to the very people who loved and wanted to hear the music. It was then that she came up with the idea for a community based Jazz series, free and open to all who wanted to come. The idea was pitched to Bill Coleman, then owner of The Firehouse Farmers Market, and the rest is history. With Bill Coleman’s help, funding was found and Friday Night Jazz at The Firehouse Farmers Market was born. With the help of neighborhood groups and associations Denise is able to hire area, nationally and internationally renown artist to perform. As the series began to grow and the numbers of children increased Denise started the children’s literacy program BeBop and Books. A program that gives children free books and school supplies. She purchases many of the books herself and also accepts donations from audience members and neighborhood thrift stores. In 2007 the series moved to anew address in the beautifully renovated Cedar Park. It was then that Cedar park Neighbors agreed to become Denise’s fiscal sponsor. It was also in 2007 that Denise started her own non profit West Philadelphia Jazz, Art and Music Society…her non profit status is pending. This year Denise is kicking off the first annual Jazz, Art and Music Scholarship to assist an arts student with tuition and other cost related to arts education. The focus will be on Jazz studies, dance and visual arts. The scholarship may be used for lessons, instruments and/ or any tools needed to advance the arts.
In 2005 as a result of her work in and commitment to her community Denise King was awarded the prestigious Mellon Community Award, the only woman to ever be honored. A grant for five thousand dollars was also given to her Jazz series.
WHO,WHAT, WHEN and WHERE
Concerts, Festivals, Film and Theater
Cover A film by Bill Duke
It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues Prince Theater
Painted Bride Arts Center
Mellon Jazz Festival
Peco Energy Jazz Festival
Sunoco Welcome America
Tour of Europe and Africa with Billy Paul
Wiggins Park
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Cape May Jazz Festival
Cape May Convention Center
Willingboro Jazz Festival
Trump Castle w/ Dexter Wansel
Resorts SuperStar Theater w/ Dexter Wansel
Fort Dupont Washington DC
Tribute to The Sound of Phila. Penns Landing
Too Close to Home w/ Conway and Pratt
When The Bough Breaks w/ TOVA
Radio and Television
Profiles w/ Toni Nash channel 57
10! Phila., PA
All Things Considered Elizabeth Blair
