Dena DeRose (born February 15, 1966) is an American jazz pianist, singer and educator.[1] Although she began her career just as a pianist, medical problems with her hand forced her to become a vocalist as well. She has released seven solo albums.
Biography
Early life
DeRose was born in Binghamton, New York to a construction worker and a former professional ice skater with the Ice Capades.[1][2] She began playing the piano at age three and soon became a fan of jazz.[1] As a child she also played the organ and percussion, and played the piano in school bands.[1] When she was a teenager, she used to drive to New York City to see jazz musicians like Hank Jones and Mulgrew Miller.[2] After high school, DeRose was offered a scholarship to Concordia College but chose to attend Binghamton University instead.[1] At age 18, DeRose joined a popular local top forty band playing electric piano and synthesizer. She also began to sing vocal harmony parts with the band's vocalist. At 21, DeRose was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.[2] Suffering severe pain in her right hand, she was forced to stop playing the piano.[2] Not performing for close to a year she became depressed and turned to drugs and alcohol to help her cope.[1] One night she was in a bar listening to Doug Beardsley's trio when someone suggested that she get up and sing.[1] From then she sang regularly with Beardsley's trio in Binghamton.[1] After approximately another 18 months, she had two surgeries on her right hand which enabled her to begin playing the piano again.[1] She moved to New York City in 1991 to further her career.[3]
DeRose has been the Vocal Professor and Head of Jazz Vocals at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria, since 2006. A regular teacher at the Stanford Jazz Workshop for the past 20 years, she also teaches periodically at other summer camp and workshop programs including the Litchfield Summer Camp, Taller de Musics in Spain and the Prince Claus Conservatoire in Groningen, Holland.[8][9]
With Ingrid Jensen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Davis (trombone), Steve Wilson (alto sax, soprano sax), Dwayne Burno (bass), Mark Taylor (drums), Daniel Sadownick (percussion)
1999
Time After Time
Ferony Enterprises
Duet, with Doug Ferony (vocal)
2000
I Can See Clearly Now
Sharp Nine
With Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Joel Frahm (tenor sax, soprano sax), Joe Locke (vibraphone), Dwayne Burno (bass), Mark Taylor (drums), Matt Wilson (drums)
2002
Love's Holiday
Sharp Nine
With Jim Rotondi (trumpet), Brian Lynch (trumpet), Tony Kadleck (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Davis (trombone), Sara Della Posta (French horn), Joe Locke (vibraphone), Peter Washington (bass), Matt Wilson (drums), plus special guest: Bill Charlap (piano on one track)
