Denise Jordan Finley, Performing Songwriter
Finger Style Guitarist
DENISE JORDAN FINLEY
Daniel Pagdon, Contra Bass Guitarist (A compliment overheard passed between the Vocht brothers, rock guitarists: "Danny's the guy you want if you want TOUCH")
DANIEL PAGDON
additional band members suited to the space, budget and occasion from a duet, trio, quartet, and all the way to a seven piece band, including back-up singers
Denise Jordan Finley, Guitarist/Vocalist--RainSong Graphite Guitar-- Playing Originals and Covers, in the Contemporary Folk/Light Jazz style..."Sophistfolk"
Daniel Pagdon, Contra Bass Guitarist-- Ken Smith Contra Bass Guitar, Carvin Fretless Six String Bass Producer of the newly released CD, HAUNTRESS
Matt Finley, Musical Arranger/instrumentalist--Trumpet, Flugelhorn, arrangements for live performance and recorded music (check out his own songwriting and arranging at www.mattfinley.com,)soprano and alto flutes, soprano sax, and vibes-- Instrumental Arrangements and accompaniments on HAUNTRESS
MATT FINLEY
Influences
Chet Atkins, Les Paul, James Taylor, Mark Knopfler, Janis Ian, The Beatles, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, Peter Rowan. Shawn Colvin, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Caroline Hester, Pat Webb, Joni Mitchell...
Including two award-winning songs
Mark Dann Studio, Woodstock, NY
Produced by Daniel Pagdon
Arrangements by Matt Finley
Vocals, Guitar... Denise Jordan Finley
Contra Bass Guitar...Daniel Pagdon
Trumpet, Soprano Sax, Vibes, Soprano and Alto Flutes...Matt Finley
Piano... Clifford Carter
Click on the music player above to listen to Hauntress...
"Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do"
(David Roth)
"A gorgeous album!"
(Penny Nichols)
"You've created an album that is an eight course meal. complete with several appetizers, entrees and desserts. Despite feeling fully sated by the meal, it leaves me wanting to consume it again and again and again... Your restaurant gets five stars out of four!"
(Tom Ryan)
New Folk Winner
New Jersey Folk Festival, 2004
Honors: 'Little Secrets'
Great American Songwriting Contest, 2005
High Honors:'How Fair Is My Baby'
Great American Songwriting Contest, 2006
Winner: 'How Fair Is My Baby'
Walnut Valley Festival, 2007
Winner: 'Special Overalls'
Walnut Valley Folk Festival, 2007
Alternate: 'Talk To Me'
Walnut Valley Folk Festival, 2007
"A superb blend of genres, folk, country, jazz, blues, rock, with an awesome style all your own!!! Five stars high & five stars wide!!!!!
(Wade Farlowe, Soundclick)
Often microscopic in nature, the songs focus on everyday people and the familiar events of life, while bringing forth the poignant and often dramatic details as are felt deep in the spirit and the heart. The recently released CD, HAUNTRESS is decidedly metaphysical in tone.
Finley's vocals, show expression coming from a full life of observation, compassion, sorrow and joy... Her guitar work emerges as uncommonly intricate, harmonically compelling, and rhythmically powerful. Denise has performed her original songs since she was first honored in 'Super Teen,' a national music awards contest for emerging young artists. She has played with and composed for such bands as The Young Pretenders; Dick Staber and The Yonder City Bluegrass Band; and Rio Jazz. She has appeared with Bill Keith, Tony Trishka and Skyline, Aztec Two Step, Priscilla Herdman, Sally Rogers, Howie Burson, Steve Gillette, Bob Franke, Kenny Edwards, Tom Kimmel, Pat Donehue, Sloan Wainright, Penny Nichols, Ann Hills, Michael Smith; and has been accompanied by some of the best bassists in the world: Freebo, Mark Egan, Dick Kniss, Roger Mason, and most recently, Daniel Pagdon.
Contra Bass Guitarist, Daniel Pagdon, discovered his instrument at the age of 11, and hasn't put it down since, making a lifetime career of playing with Rich Hozza, Todd Wolfe, Paul Carbonara, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Ehinger, Mike Lattrel, and Hiro Suzuki, Frank Giasullo (professor of Jazz Studies at Princeton,) Bob Sanders of 'Stormcrow', Taff Freeman from Nektar, Peter Karp and the Roadshow, Mike Agronoff, and Mick Taylor to name some!
Both are self-taught in their craft. Between them they have over three decades of playing music for live audiences in concert halls, small venues, and festivals. Between them, they have appeared on AM, FM, Public, and Internet Radio. Between them, they have appeared on local and national television. They have covered coast to coast United States, Europe, and the high seas.
Finley has received song writing Honors from The New Jersey Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase, and numerous times from The Great American Songwriting Contest, and The Plowshares Songwriting Competition. In 2007 her songs won an unprecedented three catagory sweep in The Walnut Valley Folk Festival.
"Denise can do it all - write, sing, play, and perform. It's a treat to hear her, and I always learn something when I do"
(David Roth)
"Here’s the scoop du jour in northern Dutchess County: Finley is the hardest-working woman in Hudson Valley nightlife...playing contemporary folk and guitar-based instrumentals as a musical digestif"
(The Chronogram)
"Gluteus Maximus Kickin' " (Sloan Wainwright)
"Superb musician" (The Country and Abroad)
"...Your songs ere evocative and well-crafted, your guitar playing extraordinary...I love your voice!" (David Simpkins, Meadow Creek Gazette )
Online Now!
