I was very lucky to get these fabulous musicians to play on my CD: Mark Massey (keyboards, co-arranger); Anders Swanson (bass); Aldo Bentivegna (drums); and Eric Marienthal (saxaphone). Alan Kuehne co-produced and engineered the CD at his studio (Serious Fun Studios in Van Nuys, CA). Thanks to all of you, you were all so wonderful to work with! Let's make another one soon, shall we?
Over the years, I've worked with some amazing and inspirational musicians, including Tom Garvin, Karen Hammack, Wally Minko, Mark Massey, Nick Manson, Anders Swanson, Chris Colangelo, Chris Conner, Zac Matthews, Putter Smith, Alan Kuehne, Aldo Bentivegna, Gary Gibbons, Paul Kreibich, Jack LeCompte, Dave Zarlenga, Jamie Findlay, Riner Scivally, Mark DeCozio, Dave Baradic, Steve Millhouse, Mike King, Dom Moio, John Lewis...
Many singers/artists have influenced and inspired me over the years... here, in no particular order, are a few of them: ... Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Diana Krall, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Chaka Khan, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Tierney Sutton, Karrin Allyson, Rene Marie, Jon Hendricks, Mark Murphy, Kurt Elling, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt ...
"I regularly read obituaries on the demise of the American song canon. So why is it that so many of best and smartest younger singers -- the real virtuosos who actually can sing -- keep doing them? Without getting nostalgic or academic about it, Donna Deussen nails a dozen ASCAP beauties on her High Wire CD with the cool assurance of a singer who also happens to be a musician of the very first order. That gives her a lot of resources to play with, especially when tackling an off-beat item like “Nature Boy”. A bright voice under the control of an agile musicianship and wise good taste." - John McDonough, (Down Beat jazz reviewer)
" 'High Wire' is a debut recording by an artist that’s got a lot of vocal spunk. Surrounding herself with an air-tight rhythm section of Mark Massey (piano), Aldo Bentivegna (drums) and Anders Swanson (bass), Donna Deussen confirms audibly that she is a sweet-toned delight that has an articulated and well timed delivery. And she uses her incredible skills to put an extra pizzazz into a varied collection of jazz standards. Deussen gracefully gallops along at Chick Corea’s frenetically paced 'High Wire' and keeps her collective cool without breaking into a sweat. Supported by Bentivegna’s sublime brushwork, she gets laid way back on 'Skylark,' as well as sounding vulnerable and fragile on the wispy 'With Every Breath I Take' with keyboardist Massey. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal joins the party for some excellent work on a couple of selections. Marienthal’s work along with Deussen’s sassy and gutsy take on 'Blues in the Night' is dripping with sweat, and he’s off to the races along with Deussen’s percussive enunciation on 'One Note Samba.' She’s got lots of energy all throughout 'High Wire.' Deussen’s a California native, who recently moved to Arizona. Let’s work to bring her back for some gigs!" - George Harris, All About Jazz
Jazz Vocalist DONNA DEUSSEN is a Northern California native, but spent much of her youth in rural New Hampshire. She decided to make her passion for singing her profession as well, and began her career by attending and graduating magna cum laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, with a degree in songwriting.
She then moved to Los Angeles, and began performing, writing, and recording all styles of contemporary music. Donna also began studying jazz improvisation with Tierney Sutton, one of her inspirations (along with Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Joni Mitchell, and Chaka Khan!) She has performed at a wide variety of venues in the Southern California area, including: Holly Street Bar & Grill, Spazio Restaurant, Millenium Biltmore Hotel, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Auditorium, The Wine Bistro (Studio City), The Palace, The Cinegrill, Lunaria’s, The Jazz Bakery, Cal Tech Summer Jazz Series (Pasadena), Monteleone’s, Sportsman’s Lodge, The Other Side, L.A. Cabaret, The Money Tree, The Gardenia Room, Portofino on Pine, Luna Park, Fox & Hound, and many more. In addition, she recently was the featured performer for a two-night stint at Johnny’s Uptown Supper Club in Phoenix, AZ. She was a soloist for the televised live performance of “Thumbs Up L.A.P.D.”, and sang at U.C.L.A.‘s Royce Hall for the televised performance of the Easter Seals Telethon. Donna sings every Christmas season with the renowned a capella group The Caroling Company, who have been seen in several motion pictures, including “The Addams Family.” She also recorded a Glendale Federal Bank radio commercial, and has worked as a session singer at several recording studios in the L.A. area.
Donna has performed and recorded with the top studio musicians in L.A., including those who have worked with/toured with Chick Corea, Sarah Vaughan, Poncho Sanchez, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Tierney Sutton, Jack Jones, Tom Jones, Melissa Manchester, Jean-Luc Ponty, the Righteous Brothers, and many many more.
In April 2003, Donna’s long-awaited debut jazz CD, “High Wire” was released. It reflects her command of a vast range of styles, from samba to the blues. It showcases some of LA's best musicians: Mark Massey ..boards, Aldo Bentivegna on drums, Anders Swanson on bass, and Eric Marienthal (of Chick Corea’s Elektric Band) on saxophone. “High Wire” features all-original arrangements by Donna and Mark Massey, including a “Weather Report” inspired version of “Nature Boy” and a jazz rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River.” The CD has been garnering favorable reviews, and is getting airplay on many jazz radio stations, including KKJZ Long Beach, KCLU Thousand Oaks, KBEM Minneapolis, WAER Syracuse, WICN Worchester MA, SkyJazz Internet Radio, CFRC Radio Ontario Canada, CKCU Ottawa Canada, WTJU Charlottesville VA, WPKN Bridgeport CT, Radio Universitaria do Minho Portugal, and Radio LaGuagua Argentina! “High Wire” is available online at www.cdbaby.com/deussen.
In addition, Donna is a much-sought after vocal coach. She was on the faculty at the prestigious Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys, CA, for several years. She lived in Phoenix, AZ, for a few years, but is now back in the Los Angeles area and is currently accepting new students.
For booking or further information, please contact deussend@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.donnadeussen.com.
Hey Donna!I wish I could be there,however space is an issue. But,Im so glad I can alway's drop by and check you and your jazz out!Im loving your music and your style:)Give em all you got and have an Amazing night:)Much Love~Floyd~
... always my pleasure to meet nice and interesting people here in our twilight zone ;o)) special thanks for your friendly love and good vibes my dear friend! have a big 2009 and all the best... stay tuned... john :o))
Gracias por la Amistad - Thanks for your friendship. Inspiración - Bienestar y Mucha Musica. Un placer contar contigo - It's a pleasure to be friends. Saludos - Viele Grüße aus Elbenberg – Bendiciones. .......Never stop the beat....... Alvaro.
Donna, you are an amazing talent! I really enjoyed your original arrangements of these standards. Sure, I'm up for a collaboration sometime. And I'd love to see you perform LIVE, so I'll keep a look out...
