Danielle Elliott-vox/keys
Ben Campbell-bass
Simon Kafka-guitar
Adam Jackson-drums
Tatum Greenblatt-trumpet
Dylan Heaney-Tenor Sax
Influences
Eva Cassidy, Dana Glover, Natalie Cole, Sting, Rene Marie, Ella, Sheila Jordan, Jonah Smith, Minnie Ripperton, Art Blakey, Stevie, Carol King, Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, Wayne Shorter, Carmen McCrae, Jamiroquai, Luciano Berio, Copland, Billy Joel, Frou Frou, Jill Scott, and life & people in general...good & bad experiences.
With the arrival of her first EP, Danielle Elliott is set to challenge the music industry. Once the self-proclaimed “girl who can’t write songs”, she has proven the exact opposite. Fresh out of music school at The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music, she has managed to create inspired lyrics and distinctive music combined with a hip mainstream sensibility. Not bad for someone who just started writing a little over two years ago.
Elliott grew up in Connecticut with mostly church and musical theatre experience. She decided to attend Western Connecticut State University to pursue a degree in classical voice, but after becoming friends with a group of jazz majors and falling in love with the music, she transferred into the jazz program in her sophomore year. A semester later, she transferred to The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music.
Elliott graduated with a B.F.A. in jazz performance in 2006 and has been strongly influenced by the various genres she studied while in school. She has performed around New York City, whether featured or singing backup with many different musicians. Such artists include Junior Mance, Bobby Sanabria, Candido, Orly, Romero Lubambo, RAQ, and DJ Logic.
Her self-titled debut EP features seven original songs with a jazz-influenced, pop/neo-soul style and collaboration from talented up and coming singer/songwriter Julian Velard on “Nobody Knows Me” and “Leave”. To quote one of Elliott’s teachers, the legendary bassist and educator Reggie Workman, “Danielle has revealed herself to be not only a brilliant and charming stage personality but a competent musician and vocalist. She is a new star on the horizon”.
Hey Danielle! Great to hear from you. I haven't any shows just yet, but I'll keep you posted. Depending on when you're in town, I'll be in town, too! We should def. link up! :) (add myspace.com/kittenkuroi--my other music page--I'm gonna be doing a shift-over soon! *hugs*
Fan video of Dani @ Rockwood Music Hall on 7/5/09
Dani Elliott, video blog 8/1/09
