In the mid 1980s, a series of hand surgeries interrupted Dena's musical
career. But as a result of this unfortunate necessity she discovered a new,
and unexpected, talent--singing. For about a year and a half Dena worked
exclusively as a vocalist, and after making a full recovery, she began to
integrate her piano playing with her singing.
Since moving to New York City in 1992, Dena has performed on piano with
Randy Brecker, Bob Moses, Peter Washington, Billy Drummond, Virginia
Mayhew, Bruce Forman, Terry Clarke, Ingrid Jensen, and Dottie Dodgion,
among others. In addition to her work as a pianist, Dena also performs as a
vocalist, and is featured on pianist Rob Bargad's recent CD, The Shadow
of Your Smile.
Dena also appears frequently as a pianist-vocalist with her own quartet in
such New York City jazz venues as Birdland, The Village Gate, Zinno,
Small's, Cleopatra's Needle, The Five Spot, and The Knickerbocker. She also
has performed at The Jazz Hall in Santa Barbara, California, Pearl's in San
Francisco, and Rusty's in Toledo, Ohio.
An experienced music educator, Dena has been teaching privately for over 15
years. She conducts seminars and master classes at community music centers,
high schools, and colleges, and is a member of the piano and voice faculty
of Stanford University's Stanford Jazz Workshop. She also serves as
accompanist and vocal coach for the Actors' Guild at the New School for
Social Research in New York.
In 1996, Dena released her debut recording as a leader, Introducing Dena
DeRose, on the Sharp 9 label. Accompanying her were renowned drummer
Albert "Tootie" Heath, the brilliant young saxophonist Steve Wilson, and
bassist Michael Zisman, a long-time associate and accompanist. The CD
features classic standards and two of her original compositions, each
arranged and performed in Dena's honest, intimate style.
