performed by... danielle gasparro (vocals/piano), raphael mcgregor (lap steel, loops), ryan scott (electric & acoust guitar), al street (acoustic guitar), geoff martyn (piano/acoustic guitar), christopher hoffman (cello), jamie leonhart (harmony vocals), roy dunlap (keyboard), bob hart (electric bass), bill campbell (drums)
written by... "birdsong", "irish pride" - danielle gasparro/geoff martyn (2007) "thank you for breaking my heart" - danielle gasparro (2007) "puget sound" - danielle gasparro (2005) "fragile fingers" - danielle gasparro/jerome covington (2002)
All poems by danielle gasparro
Influences
here are some of the people, places and things that inspire me to look within and let it out, and who can in an instant - even on a crappy day - make me feel downright glad to be alive...
leonard cohen, hank williams, joni mitchell, stevie wonder, tom waits, all of the musicians captured by alan lomax on the "deep river of song" historical recordings (rounder records), ella fitzgerald, louis armstrong, donny hathaway, paul simon, billie holiday, prince, me'shell ndegeocello, carmen mcrae, miles davis, ahmad jamal, johnny cash, ryan adams, nick drake, curtis mayfield, madeleine peyroux, the bee gees, antonio carlos jobim, roberta flack, elvis costello, k.d. lang, earth wind and fire, johnny hartman, shirley horn, jonathan spottiswoode, richard julian, geoff martyn, kenny wollesen, every musician that ever plays with me as i step up to the mic, edward hopper, salvador dali, gregory crewdson, charles bukowski, henry miller, pablo neruda, studs terkel, kurt vonnegut, hemmingway, steinbeck, emerson, thoreau, joseph campbell, eckhart tolle, bill hicks, mitch hedberg, dark black french-pressed coffee, the guy who works at the bigass deli near me that makes the udon soup, unbridled truth....oh, it goes on from there...
Sounds Like
aw, shucks. that's awful nice of you to say "There are few artists that make the same vocal impact as Gasparro. There's a cliché about some artists being able to sing a telephone directory and make it sound interesting, she falls into that select band. That those vocals get to be used around well thought out and constructed songs is a real bonus."- Fatea Magazine (UK)
"What a voice. I swear you could just listen to it for hours and hours."- Pulse Rated (UK)
"If you're not at Danielle's gigs, you're missing something very, very special."- Indie Sounds NY
"When I hear your voice, I feel as if I'm in a dream I never want to wake from." - note from inspired fan
"Seductive." - The Village Voice
"Danielle's rich, buttery voice will likely evoke Cassandra Wilson or Nina Simone. This NYC singer has a gift for writing original songs that defy classification...a great addition to your jazz/soul playlist." - MP3 Weekly
"Don't keep your day job." - someone who works with me at my day job
"Tremendous....She mesmerized us with her tunes. Her band backed her up with great chemistry...A savvy, thoughtful singer." - Radio Crystal Blue (review of august '07 show)
"I am remained pleasantly it surprised to hear a so attractive voice, a message for the pleasure of to express you the emotion experienced between your note. A lot of persons know singer well but to give an emotion is alone some artists." - freetranslation.com working its magic on a touching note from an Italian fan.
"I hate to say this, but...your pain is our gain."- uniquely flattering remark from a fan, after a live show
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general contact info Bookings, press, general inquiries and inspired missives: info@daniellegasparro.com
Licensing/publishing: Yes Dear Entertainment Los Angeles, CA 310.481.2020 info@yesdearent.com
artist info New York City based performing songwriter Danielle Gasparro does not sing a word she doesn’t mean. With a modern sound and style that seamlessly blends jazz and pop, this emerging artist somehow reminds us of Ella and Louis, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, all at the same time. Perhaps it’s because, like those classic artists, she presents us with her thoughts and emotions while soulfully embodying the music she sings. Through her unique and deeply expressive voice, the sentient chanteuse offers up a legion of songs that reflect life and lessons learned back through a musical fire that is at once powerful and nuanced. Danielle’s live performances, deemed "engaging and inspiring, not to be missed" (Indie Sounds NY), showcase her rare gift for not only driving her soul and voice deep inside a song, but for taking the audience along for the ride.
Career highlights have included the recording of her 2006 EP "Big Movie Screen" where Danielle worked with Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Jay Newland (Norah Jones, Etta James, Richie Havens), and her participation in two Chris Difford (Squeeze) hosted songwriting retreats in 2007. These inspiring week-long retreats allowed Danielle the unique opportunity to develop her craft while forging deep musical connections with some of the most vibrant members of the UK songwriting community.
2008 brought about some exciting ventures for this compelling artist, including her appearance as both a performer and contributing songwriter at Steel Bridge SongFest, the annual Midwest music and writing festival which Jackson Browne headlines, her debut touring in both the US and UK, alignment as a songwriter with publishing firm Yes, Dear Entertainment, the release of her new full-length studio recording, "birdsong", and her role as creator and host of the monthly live artist interview series in New York, "Second Sundays". For this engaging series, held in New York City’s beloved listening room, Rockwood Music Hall, Danielle candidly discusses the music and the meaning with some of today’s brightest and most vital performing songwriters, offering up a warm and intimate setting for their songs, stories and speculations to shine.
With songs that defy genre but feel classic, a voice that “paints Picassos” (JAM Magazine), a live performance that captures both heart and mind, and a commitment to thoughtfully illuminating some of today’s most captivating singer-songwriters, Danielle Gasparro has established herself as not only a passionate and dynamic artist, but one worth keeping your eyes - and ears on. "What a voice. I swear you could just listen to it for hours and hours." (Pulse Rated UK)
"So...what's Your Music Like?" Whenever people ask me this, I struggle a bit to offer up something that feels like a fair reflection. But my friend Sarah, a brilliant writer who has been on the receiving end of my musings for a number of years now, thoughtfully, does not. Recently, she surprised me by offering up some of her kind reflections in writing. I was so touched by her poignant, poetic prose, that I'm compelled to share it with all of you here.
I'm walking through a snowy city, cold but curious and unafraid. I pull my scarf tight around my neck, scrunch up my shoulders, and plan my escape. And that's when I hear it: a voice so soulful, deep, and warm. I walk towards it, open the door, and step inside. There's a fire blazing or maybe not, doesn't matter, doesn't matter. I've been here before and I'll be here again.
I don't know these people yet, but someday I will.
Danielle Gasparro's voice is kind of like that.
- Sarah Rainone (Friend, Fan, Music lover, Novelist)
All of my thanks to Sarah, and so - to all of you, for deciding now and then, to step inside.
15 seconds of virtual non-fame My dear friend Jamie took this little video from her phone. That's the delovely Sunny Ozell to the left, feeling the groove. That's Ryan Scott (out of eyeshot) on the geetar, feeling the heart of the tune. And that's me in between, feeling....well, feeling it all, i guess. Neat.
Short clip from Caffe Vivaldi show
hey kids. if you're feelin' it... when roll your mouse over each pix, there is a nifty little caption. you can also make the pix go faster or slower with the slider between the + - icons. you can also probably find something else you’d rather do with your time.
tortured artist action figures?... anyone...anyone?? This groovy graphic was created by my friend David. I remember he came to one of my shows and hand drew a sketch of me while I was singing, which was flattering enough. But then, a few weeks later he came to another show, handed me a CD, and -- voila! I now have this badass virtual rendition of my, uh...er...actual arse, to share with you. Thanks, David.
WGBH LIVE RADIO APPEARANCE SAT March 21 4:00 - 4:30pm (est)
What a thrill and an honor! I'm so excited to announce that I'll be making my debut radio appearance as a featured guest on "Folk On WGBH", one of the many incredible programs presented by this illustrious Boston-based station. To top it all off, I'll be interviewed by one of public radio's most stellar on-air personalities, Brad Paul. Please listen in if you can and I'll blow you a kiss from the studio hot seat!
What:"FOLK ON WGBH" live, on-air interview w/host Brad Paul When: Saturday, March 21st 4:00 - 4:30pm EST Listen via Radio: 89.7 on the FM dial (Boston only) Listen via The Web: Click HERE! (All earth dwellers welcome)
LIVE VIDEO "Tears Are Only Water" Rockwood Music Hall, NYC March 2009
Alas...this video clip starts just after the first verse of the song, and gets cut off right before the end. But, it's sure got a chewy magical center, thanks to Raphael McGregor on the guitar, and Rockwood Music Hall on the vibe.
Many thanks to Asta Cheong, for capturing the sparks. And to the small but soulful crowd who lent them, in coming out to support us live.
Suppose I should consider "tweeting"...
[insert me considering tweeting, respecting - perhaps, at times, admiring - those who do, and then...not] ;)
Second Sundays at Rockwood Music Hall Live Artist Interview & Performance Series Hosted and produced by Danielle Gasparro
In February of 2008, I had the honor and pleasure of debuting Second Sundays as a dynamic artist interview and performance series held monthly in of New York City's best live music venues - Rockwood Music Hall. As creater, producer and host of the series, it was an inspiration to bring audience closer to artist each month, by way of refreshingly candid dialogues and intimate musical performances.
You can get the full skinny on this musing-o-mine and experience the magic first-hand by checking out the audio archives HERE. (you can also link to the series page via my 'top friends' section)
While presenting the series to a live audience was a uniquely soulful and spirited experience, over time, the demands of producing the series with audio archives sadly grew too difficult to balance alongside of my developing career, and music. As a result, in June of 2009, I made the difficult decision to bring Second Sundays to a close.
NOTE: TWO SPECIAL BONUS INTERVIEWS ARE COMING IN AUGUST OF 2009. DO VISIT THE SERIES PAGE TO LEARN MORE AND LISTEN IN!
"birdsong" awaits your ears...
Sample & buy @ CDBaby
Sample & buy @ iTunes
Some Sweet Fans Comment On "birdsong": "...a wonderfully long set that nevertheless seems short. Your music continues to surprise and has a way of tapping directly into the subconscious mind, the soul, the essence."
"Just been listening and just to say that Birdsong is a BRILLIANT song. Love it."
"I suppose everyone will have their favorites - no contest for me - I just love Irish Pride. What a great song. But, I love listening to the whole CD, and will keep doing so, to discover more favorites."
"I've been listening to your CD and I just wanna say, I am lovin' the ride! I get so lost inside the contours of your voice - it is so voluptuous and delicious - takes you all kinds of places. "Birdsong" is really sticking with me. The whole thing is crystalline and gorgeous."
"big movie screen" 2006 ep available online
In June of 2006, I went into the studio with a breathtaking band, we recorded four songs, and abracadabra, they are available for your listening pleasure in the form of an EP entitled, "Big Movie Screen".
If you'd like to sample the magic that was captured and mixed by grammy-award winning engineerJay Newland, and produced byArt Hays, just click the link above. Of course, you can also purchase a copy. Or two. Or eighteen.
LIVE VIDEO (2007) Below is a video clip from a long-ago show at the lovely and intimate Caffe Vivaldi. That's me singing "Puget Sound" with the incomparable Ryan Scott on electric guitar and Al Street on acoustic (wait for it...) guitar. There are a few minor digital glitches, and you can't see my face all that much, but overall...it's pretty darn groovy. And since someone kindly captured the heart of the music, which was beating strong, I thought I'd give the clip a virtual pulse.
Hi Dany... so nice to share my "poetic" emotions with you that i'm sure you can understand. We had a gig in an art gallery with my duo of POESIA NUDA where on the walls some marvellous products of arts showing the poet image was shown.... Many energies, many emotions where shared in that place a continuos flowting by that human words cannot explain. http://www.poesianuda.com is our website,have a look to the photo reportage...hope you could enjoy it! Some recondings for our first commercial audio CD are planning.. but i tell you soon. Kisses from Italy grace
Ehi Danielle...i love a lot your new poem tunes, i'm a poems teller too, and i have a duo called POESIA NUDA - Naked poetry - that with piano and voice try to move sensations with words and music ...as you do, i appreciate very much the suggestions you create with the guitar and the loop effect....many thanks for the inspiration and the nice feeling hearing your poems and your music creation, i love your way! greeting from italy graziella telling voice in POESIA NUDA www.myspace.com/lanimainnamorata CIAO!
Hi Danielle - Thanks for forwarding your wonderful interview with Madeleine Peyroux. I wasn't able to attend, and I appreciated the opportunity to be able to listen at home. Best, Sarah
