"Robert, Robert, Robert .. what I wouldn't give to come up and just and sit and sing smokey, sexy beautiful songs with you!!! It's one thing to do them with good musicians, it's another thing to do them with musicians who understand…"
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Dena Taylor left a comment for Debra Kennard"Thank you so much for your support!!!! We all need acknowledgement and encouragement regardless of whether we are high on the mountain or sitting low in the valley! And words can do that in both places (as David proved when he wrote…"
Profile Information
- About Me:
- One of the brightest smiles you could imagine is worn on the face of Dena Taylor. A jovial spirit with a robust laugh is what you will find if you’re fortunate enough to spend any time with her.
Taylor spent twelve years abroad in the military, combining her years of service with a series of low-profile concert and event gigs. She also accepted invitations to sing with touring USO shows whenever it was compatible with her military schedule.
Taylor's road to success has been hard-won, even inspirational. Upon leaving the military, Taylor found herself in a violent car accident that left her with a severe brain injury requiring a full two years to regain her ability to speak and walk again. And, since that time, she has also waged her own personal battle against breast cancer.
As a way of returning to her music, Taylor established a music ministry and took her voice to many of the mountain churches of North Georgia as a traveling guest singer. She was also one of the primary vocalists in her own home church.
Once relocated to Florida, she returned to the stage as one of the gold-star cast members of the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse appearing in productions of Kiss Me Kate, Meet Me in St. Louis, Fiddler on the Roof. From there, she went on to establishing herself as a solid solo performer. Her pairings with some of the regions finest musicians resulted in her award winning CD, Round Midnight, that she made with Ron Teixeira, Ron Pirtle and Dave Dunscombe.
Besides her own bands, Dena & Company (with notables Ron Teixeira, Dave Dunscombe and John Fitzgerald) and Troika (with gifted Hammond B-3 artist, Kenny Clarke, and drummer Dave Dunscome), her reputation also made her a frequent guest vocalist of regional jazz and blues groups.
Taylor was also named one of the Top Five Vocalists in the SingersUniverse "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Competition.
Today, Taylor lends her personal support to a number of causes that support others who have endured adversity or are in the midst of their challenges and it is a testament to Taylor's talent, however, that her sound never seems "preachy." Rather, the adversity Taylor has faced personally lends her voice a hard, knowing edge - like that of a Gladys Knight at her prime - that gives her music a ripened maturity so many pop stars lack.
Also, she has begun working with international recording artist, Jonathan Emile, to develop a cross-genre single that will be an Internet release with proceeds benefiting The Ronald McDonald Houses in the U.S. and Coast-to-Coast, a Canadian non-profit organization supporting children with cancer.
- Location
- Austin, TX, US
- What aspect of the festival are you interested in: Music, Food or the Arts?
- Music
- How did you find out about Uptown Jazz Dallas IJF?
- Keith Hill invited me join. We are friends on Facebook (http://www.denataylormusic)
CERTITUDE: Review by Rosana Caban for MyMusicSuccess
Dena Taylor’s Certitude is 11 tracks of unpretentious, well-performed country inspired jazz. The songs are considered standards, but they emanate a rich southern flavor that isn’t often associated with a standard jazz tune. The album features Redd Volkaert (2009 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance) and drummer Ernie Durawa (Gold Record Drummer of “The Sir Douglas Quintet” and “The Texas Tornados”). Both bring a unique perspective to the album, adding to its country influence.
Rather than give us a collection of standards, Dena gives us a cohesive album that flows from one track to the next. She has the experience to know how to please a listener with her voice, which is not unlike Carly Simon, especially in the tracks “I Thought About You” and “The Man I Love.” The simplicity of her performances showcases how control and poise can sometimes resonate stronger than over-the-top vocal performances.
She makes a strong emotional connection in “I Forget You Every Day” and the listener benefits from it. The amount of tremolo on the guitar in “One For My Baby (and One for the Road)” is a bit distracting, but otherwise the album’s production and mixing are incredibly good.
The instrumental performances cannot be ignored. They truly make this album an absolute must-have. In particular, the performance on “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars” by Matt Smith on guitar is too good to ignore. The performances on “Teach Me Tonight” are also noteworthy.
Dena features two duets on the album with Redd Volkaert in “Here We Go Again” and Matt Smith in “Teach Me Tonight”. Volkaert and Smith have solid vocal skills, but they’re outshined by their own guitar performances, and by Dena’s stronger, more experienced vocal command.
This album is a wonderful addition to any music library. This will easily be embraced by fans of jazz who wouldn’t mind a bit of country in their lives AND fans of country who wouldn’t mind a little jazz in theirs.
Dena Taylor's Photos
Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 9:08am on February 24, 2010,
K.Dukes Photos said… - I see!! Well thanks :)!! It's great having friends :)!
- At 9:07am on February 24, 2010,
Jett Ray said… - Welcome Dena. :) Lovin' your style and sound!
Blessings,
Jett Ray
- At 8:59am on February 24, 2010, K.Dukes Photos said…
- Thanks for the friend request!! To what do I owe the pleasure :)?
- At 8:35am on February 24, 2010,
Uptown Jazz Dallas IJF said… - Congratulations, Dena! I like "Let's Face the Music". Be sure to upload your CD artwork into a photo album and I'll feature it. Be sure to go through and add friends on the network so others can become familiar with your work.
Keith
- At 9:36pm on November 29, 2009, Uptown Jazz Dallas IJF said…
- Hey Dena,
Welcome on-board. Do your thing! Keep me abreast. Use the platform to the fullest!
Keith
UJD Supports JAZZ!
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