Biography
Dena DeRose rose from a crippling physical condition to establish herself as a major presence in jazz on both piano and vocals. Her take on the American songbook carries a contemporary jazz edge, and she favors a “swing first” approach across virtually all her material. By the release of her 1996 Sharp Nine debut, Introducing Dena DeRose, she had already endured rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, conditions that nearly derailed her path. During recovery from surgery she accepted a spontaneous challenge to sing at a club; within weeks she was performing as a vocalist on tour. Her final Sharp Nine date, the 2002 release Love’s Holiday, featured pianist Bill Charlap, vibraphonist Joe Locke, and trumpeters Jim Rotondi and Brian Lynch to broaden the trio’s palette. In 2005 she produced her own Grammy-nominated MaxJazz album, A Walk in the Park. Two years afterward she issued three recordings in one year, among them the first of three popular Live at the Jazz Standard sets by her trio of bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Jones; the second volume remained on the jazz charts for twelve weeks. Her 2014 High Note debut, We Won’t Forget You: An Homage to Shirley Horn, incorporated an all-star horn section and appeared on numerous year-end lists, prompting some critics to note affinities between DeRose and her subject. The 2016 album United drew praise for its original title track and for contributions from trumpeter Ingrid Jensen and guitarist Peter Bernstein.
DeRose began piano studies at age three and added classical organ and percussion training; in school she performed in orchestra, marching band, and jazz ensemble while also accompanying musicals. She pursued classical piano coursework at SUNY Binghamton and played jazz piano engagements throughout upstate New York. In the mid-1980s arthritis combined with carpal tunnel syndrome severely impaired her right hand, leading to two operations and a two-year hiatus from the instrument that seemed to close off any musical future. One evening in a jazz club she accepted a dare to sing, performed successfully, and enjoyed it so thoroughly that she soon began booking herself as a vocalist. As recognition as a jazz singer grew, her hand healed completely, allowing her to work as a singer-pianist. She relocated to New York City in 1991 and quickly established herself on the club circuit. Alongside her performing career she has maintained an active role as an educator and frequent festival participant. In addition to leading her own trio she has collaborated with Randy Brecker, Bruce Forman, Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Houston Person, and Ken Peplowski. Her discography continued with 1999’s Another World, 2001’s I Can See Clearly Now, and 2002’s Love’s Holiday on Sharp Nine before she moved to MaxJazz for several acclaimed titles, including 2005’s A Walk in the Park and 2012’s Travelin’ Light. The 2014 HighNote tribute We Won’t Forget You: An Homage to Shirley Horn honored one of her key influences, and 2016’s United, her eighth studio album, again featured Jensen and Bernstein. In 2018 she served as pianist in tenorist Scott Hamilton’s quartet on La Rosita, and the following year she recorded Alpenglow in Copenhagen as pianist in an avant-garde improvising trio alongside bassist Mads Vindig and vocalist Annette Giesriegl. She returned to High Note as leader in 2020 with Ode to the Road, featuring her trio plus trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Houston Person, and vocalist Sheila Jordan on selected tracks.
DeRose began piano studies at age three and added classical organ and percussion training; in school she performed in orchestra, marching band, and jazz ensemble while also accompanying musicals. She pursued classical piano coursework at SUNY Binghamton and played jazz piano engagements throughout upstate New York. In the mid-1980s arthritis combined with carpal tunnel syndrome severely impaired her right hand, leading to two operations and a two-year hiatus from the instrument that seemed to close off any musical future. One evening in a jazz club she accepted a dare to sing, performed successfully, and enjoyed it so thoroughly that she soon began booking herself as a vocalist. As recognition as a jazz singer grew, her hand healed completely, allowing her to work as a singer-pianist. She relocated to New York City in 1991 and quickly established herself on the club circuit. Alongside her performing career she has maintained an active role as an educator and frequent festival participant. In addition to leading her own trio she has collaborated with Randy Brecker, Bruce Forman, Ray Brown, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Houston Person, and Ken Peplowski. Her discography continued with 1999’s Another World, 2001’s I Can See Clearly Now, and 2002’s Love’s Holiday on Sharp Nine before she moved to MaxJazz for several acclaimed titles, including 2005’s A Walk in the Park and 2012’s Travelin’ Light. The 2014 HighNote tribute We Won’t Forget You: An Homage to Shirley Horn honored one of her key influences, and 2016’s United, her eighth studio album, again featured Jensen and Bernstein. In 2018 she served as pianist in tenorist Scott Hamilton’s quartet on La Rosita, and the following year she recorded Alpenglow in Copenhagen as pianist in an avant-garde improvising trio alongside bassist Mads Vindig and vocalist Annette Giesriegl. She returned to High Note as leader in 2020 with Ode to the Road, featuring her trio plus trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Houston Person, and vocalist Sheila Jordan on selected tracks.
Albums
