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Denise La Grassa
Jazz / Folk / Nu-Jazz

"Deep Down Love" No.36 on IAC Underground 40!



Bloomington/Chicago, Illinois
United States

Profile Views:  8017




Last Login:  7/3/2009
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   Denise La Grassa: General Info
Member Since4/17/2008
Band Members Buy Denise's Music:




DENISE LA GRASSA: Pieces of Peace

Sounds LikeLive at The Brink
in Madison WI




On the Radio: WILL-FM Interview




Denise's Comedy

Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jul 10 2009 6:30P
Redfire Grille Bloomington, Illinois
Jul 17 2009 6:00P
Parke Hotel Bloomington, Illinois
Jul 21 2009 6:00P
Biaggi’s Champaign, Illinois
Jul 28 2009 6:00P
Houlihan’s in the "I" Hotel Champaign, Illinois
Aug 13 2009 6:30P
Under The Prairie Stars Concert Series Clinton, Illinois
Aug 14 2009 5:00P
Minier Farmers Market Minier, Illinois
Sep 4 2009 5:30P
Contemporary Art Center Peoria, Illinois

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   About Denise La Grassa
Review of April Dreams from AllAboutJazz by Matthew Warnock 6/29/09

April Dreams is a sultry album of original pop/jazz vocal compositions by Illinois-based singer Denise La Grassa. Featuring the solid rhythm-section work of guitarist Scott Tipping, bassist Matt Thompson, drummer Gerald Dowd and pianist Ben Lewis, the album is both tasteful and .... Click here to read the full story


Critical Praise

“La Grassa is a singer of serious jazzy talent and an artful writer” – Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune

“There is something thrilling about watching her … and that girl can sing!” – Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader

"La Grassa’s performance and compositions are filled with a great deal of talent, originality and panache!” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"La Grassa's strong singing voice has a radiant folk quality" – Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun Times


About Denise

Singer/songwriter/keyboard player Denise La Grassa has been winning over audiences with her mix of jazzy/folk/rock & her effervescent personality since her 1999 debut The Tracks.

With the soon to be released April Dreams CD, new La Grassa listeners will hear why her poetic lyrics and memorable melodies have earned her critical praise from The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Reader and the BBC. On April Dreams, La Grassa surrounds herself with some of Chicago's best, including pianist Ben Lewis, drummer Gerald Dowd, guitarist Scott Tipping and bass player/producer Matt Thompson. Thompson's stellar arrangements, from the surreal Deep Down Love to the straight ahead pop of the title track to the torchy String of a Kite gives La Grassa the proper backdrop to express her soul-baring lyrics.

Denise has played Chicago’s prominent jazz haunts, including The Green Mill, Pops for Champagne, The Velvet Lounge, Green Dolphin Street and Andy’s Jazz Club. She has appeared in New York City at The Knitting Factory, FEZ, H.E.R.E., Surf Reality & Collective Unconscious, as well as abroad in Germany, Switzerland and England.


Songs from new April Dreams CD chart!

Deep Down Love debuts at 36 on iacmusic.com Underground 40 Chart. Click here for the chart

Sweet Talk now No. 6 on iacmusic.com R&B/Soul Chart. Click here for the chart



Recent Press from the Peoria Journal Star by Danielle Hatch 5/14/09

Denise La Grassa has always been a musician at heart, but there were times in her life when acting took center stage. The Chicago native - who spent time touring with "The Second City" - has appeared in numerous plays, portrayed a secretary on the HBO movie "Hometown Boy Makes Good" and has also snagged acting roles in .... Click here to read the full story



April Dreams reviewed in the Duluth News-Tribune by John Ziegler 5/21/09

Denise LaGrassa is a Chicago-based singer, songwriter and keyboardist who makes her first visit, with her trio, to the Grand Marais Jazz Festival this weekend. Her new release, “April Dreams,” showcases her sultry voice and her pithy compositional abilities. But, intriguingly, there was something in the mix — like a secret ingredient — that set her style apart from the many other jazzy song sorcerers out there, and it took me a while to put my finger on what it was .... Click here to read the full story



Booking info

Hjelle-Jam Entertainment
309.662.9873
loren_hjelle@yahoo.com


Contact Denise

deelagee@aol.com


A Born Songwriter

With the release of April Dreams, her first CD in nearly 7 years, Denise La Grassa can't help but look back on her childhood in suburban Chicago. Her infectious laugh bubbles out of her as she remembers the beginning of her songwriting career. "I was 5, maybe 6 years old and I was writing songs like mad. Once I had a fistful ready to go, I would head out and knock on my neighbors doors and sing the songs right there on their doorstep! I was hoping they'd like the songs enough to buy them. I thought if I sold enough songs, I could buy birthday & Christmas presents for my family. I tell you, I was on my way, but once my family phone started ringing with those, ahh, entertained neighbors, my Mom, uh, politely asked me to stop. But I did get a few dollars in my pocket, and more importantly, I got confidence at an early age as a songwriter."

Her song-selling may have been stopped prematurely, but Denise continued writing. "In third grade, I decided to tackle playwriting. My teacher, Mrs. Collins, read my stories, thought I was pretty good and arranged a meeting with the elementary school principal. She allowed me and my group of third grade thespians the chance to perform a Christmas play for the school. We rehearsed in the library after school, we got parents involved typing scripts, finding props and designing costumes. The play was a huge success and I was on my way to fame and fortune. But then, 4th grade blindsided me. My new teacher was, how should I say this, a wee bit underwhelmed by my endless creativity. I did write a few plays and songs, but my grades suffered, and I was "diagnosed" as a hyper-creative child. Back then I was misunderstood. I still wrote songs and plays, but when I was done, I tucked them inside my piano bench. I was really bummed."

On break one summer from college, Denise traveled to a place called The Second City in Chicago and discovered a school for performers and writers. "I couldn't believe what I found. A SCHOOL for people LIKE ME!!!! I left college and soaked up improv writing and acting. Within a year I was traveling with The Second City Touring Company and having the time of my life. One of my favorite improv techniques was called "Make-A-Song." The audience would shout out topics and ideas and I had to make up songs on the spot. I had a blast writing and singing melodies & parodies under pressure. My only regret is that I don't have recordings of those performances ... then again, maybe that's a good thing!"

Following her stint at The Second City, Denise continued to work in professional theater, performing in plays and musicals. She also wrote and produced two musical One-Person shows. In between musical theater, she landed small parts in a couple of made for HBO movies, including Hometown Boy Makes Good with Anthony Edwards (She's the funny secretary). And you can still occasionally catch her portrayals of real life people on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. Despite her busy acting schedule, Denise made time for her music. She performed with her band at nearly every Chicago music venue, and produced two CD's of original music. The Tracks was released in 1999 and Pieces of Peace three years later. "My old Professor and mentor Bill Russo, who was a big band arranger - he arranged for Stan Kenton among others - kept telling me that I was a talented songwriter and that I should keep writing songs. So I produced those CD's myself and shopped them around to a few labels. But I was so busy acting and performing my One-Person musical shows that I wasn't able to give it the big push that it needed."

Just over two years ago, Denise moved downstate to Bloomington. "Boy that move forced me to focus on songwriting, I sure wasn't going to get cast in movies or TV living in Central Illinois." The move turned out to be a blessing. "Overall, these are the best songs I've ever written." You can hear those songs on her soon to be released April Dreams CD. " I feel like I've returned to my early years of skipping door to door selling songs to raise money, except now people are on MY doorstep/website where they can sample and buy my new songs! And this time…instead of raising money to buy presents….I’m gonna make a donation for every song I sell to my favorite place for kids - The Western Avenue Community Center in Bloomington. Pretty great!"


   Denise La Grassa's Friend Space (Top 16)
Denise La Grassa has 59 friends.
 John Kregor 


 Grand Marais Jazz Fest 


 The Smooth Maria 


 Joan Osborne 


 Matt Thompson And The Three Legged Stools 


 Matt Geraghty Project 


 Tyler Ross 


 Gomez 


 Tom Waits 


 Benjamin 


 Betty Carter 


 Neal Alger 


 Clark Sommers 


 Bonnie Raitt 


 Scott Tipping 


 Cassandra Wilson 





Denise La Grassa's Friends Comments
Displaying 20 of 20 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Redline





Jun 30 2009 7:40 PM

You've got some great music and a great page here!   Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you.  Take Care, and thanks again. Have a wonderful day.
Peace,
Captain Redline
 
Petra Luna™/ Artist For The Abused!





May 30 2009 11:13 PM

 

Whats Up and Wassup MySpace Comments and
Graphics

Dropping by and wishing you a safe beginning of summer! 
Stop by and see YOUR NETWORK?!

You can always donate your time and run a site for the WOA Network.  :)
Travis Wesley





May 27 2009 4:10 AM

Good to see you here. Thanks for being my friend :) I plan on making it one of your shows real soon. Your tracks sound great. Best - Travis
Producer / Audio Mastering by Mike Hall





May 15 2009 11:56 AM

Many Thanks for the add!
I really like your work. Please keep
me updated on your upcoming projects
and the best to you~
GLT Jazz





Apr 22 2009 1:58 PM

Thanks for becoming a friend of GLT Jazz.

April Dreams sounds great!
AKlectic Company





Apr 4 2009 1:40 PM

You sounded and looked fabulous last night. It was perfect for the event.
Matt Thompson And The Three Legged Stools





Apr 3 2009 10:17 PM

We...Me at the Stools thank you for the add. I am putting new stuff up all the time. Glad to see you are writing.
Nick Moss & the Flip Tops





Apr 2 2009 4:10 PM

Thanks for the compliments, I am glad you had a good time in Pekin.
Go "Chinks"!!!
DAVID BECKER TRIBUNE





Mar 31 2009 5:51 PM

Hi Denise,

You are very welcome!

All the best,
DB
GLT BLUES RADIO





Mar 30 2009 12:52 PM

Glad you like Mojo Madness.


BB King & John Lee Hooker in the championship this Saturday.


Have Mercy!
John Kregor





Mar 26 2009 3:11 PM

We-be Madtown-bound!
WIU Guitar Festival





Mar 21 2009 9:02 PM

Thanks for the add. Hope to see you at next years festival.
Uptown Normal Business Association





Mar 19 2009 5:13 PM

Hi Denise!

Thanks for the approve!

UNBA
Lillie Bleu





Sep 29 2008 9:44 PM

Where have you been? Miss your face.
Kilborn will be in Bloomington on the 10th!
Neal Alger





Jul 9 2008 3:37 PM

Sounds great, Denise! I hope all is well and I look forward to hearing the CD.
FRISBIE





Jul 2 2008 9:39 PM

ahoy!




The Smooth Maria





May 22 2008 4:16 AM

Denise!

It been a long time.
But I still remember the smell of the air freshener in the bathroom at the White Hall Hotel, and of course our brilliant rapport. We had some good times.

I hope all's well down in Bloomington.

Look me up when you come to NYC.
It would be good to catch up.
Matthew Warnock





May 15 2008 6:18 PM

Hey Denise,
The tunes sound great on your space!

If you're coming by tomorrow just let me know and I'll be here.

Matt
GLT BLUES RADIO





May 8 2008 5:35 PM

We are a bit biased, but this chick is da bomb!
John Kregor





Apr 25 2008 3:20 AM

Let me be the first to welcome you to Myspace!
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