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Take Five With Dena Blue

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Meet Dena Blue:

Dena is delighted to sing the popular standards for your special event. She prides herself in learning the treasured favorites made popular by many of the legends of jazz, performed in her beautiful and unique style.



Her soft sultry voice and Houston's top musicians, The BlueJazz Band, will ensure that your event has only the finest sound. The BlueJazz Band is under the direction of the talented and accomplished Paul Chester. He comprises her group of only the "A" list musicians. Currently playing are the amazing Andrew Lienhard on keyboard, outstanding Tim Solook on drums, and remarkable Aric Nitzber on upright bass and Paul Chester will be dazzle you on the guitar. You may add additional instruments upon request for your event.

Dena has been performing for years in Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, on the River Walk . She performs at weddings, galas, events and celebrations all over Texas. In a country music venue, Dena was the star of the show in the ever famous GiddyUp Gospel Show. She was a special guest on the legendary Tony Booth Show with the ever popular Frenchie Burke, performing to a sold out crowd.

Dena sings her famous jazz, blues, country and gospel songs for audiences everywhere and most recently in Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, West Virginia and Florida. Being bilingual, she loves performing in Mexico with exotic tropical destinations such as Acapulco, Ixtapa, Zihautenaho, Cancun, Cozumel and Cabo.

Her music is aired in Australia and Canada as well as the USA. In 2008, she was honored by being inducted into a Texas Music Hall of Fame and has received several awards for top female vocalist from MellowD Music Productions.

Dena has been on stage since the early age of three. She was blessed to have her talent nurtured by a loving family that happened to be performers. As a child, she performed weekly with the singing King Family of Corpus Christi, Texas.

By the age of 12, Dena was singing on radio and television. In her late teens, she was a model for the fashion industry in Los Angeles. Her great love for music and entertaining has taken her to a career performing nationally and internationally.

She has become a very accomplished singer/vocalist and "on air" personality. You may have heard her daily talk show "Something For You" on Dorton and Crawford Broadcasting, a 50,000 watt station that reached five different states simultaneously.

During her career, she has performed with many top bands, trios and choirs and several top names. She was lead female vocalist with the Glen Castleberry Band in Los Angeles, California. Glen Castleberry played lead guitar for Glen Campbell. She also sang with Dean Charles on tour, with Alabama and George Jones.

Dena lent her talent to many different venues, shows and events. She performed for the Expo/Dinosaur days in Glen Rose, Texas, which drew a crowd of over ten thousand in it's two day run. While in Glen Rose, she was on stage with LeAnne Rimes at the Johnny High Country Music Revue which seats 5000.

Dena has a genuine love for people and is always willing to lend her talents for other's needs. She has entertained at several charity events raising funds of over $100,000 for the Humane Society in Glen Rose, and The Shriner's Burn Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The Navel Station in Corpus Christi awarded her a "Certificate of Appreciation" for her many performances and hours of entertainment at their Family Appreciation Day where she performed for over 5500 military personnel and their families. She was also onboard helping them open the Gonzales Hall and worked tirelessly in helping them save their library. In another contribution to Corpus Christi, she was involved in the restoration of the World War One Memorial, singing at their services, events and celebrations all over Texas.

Instrument(s):

Guitar, piano, bass, drum, sax.

Teachers and/or influences?

There are so many incredible musicians and artists. Too many to list. But Diana Krall is the one I listen to the most.. Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Phoebe Snow, Norah Jones, Paul Chester and many many more.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I realized music consumed my every thought. Of course I grew up in a musical family.

Your sound and approach to music:

The soft and sultry sounds of an elegant evening of jazz with a splash..of glitz and glamor.

Your teaching approach:

Perfect practice makes practice perfect. Find the right program that directs that student to the correct path for them.

Your dream band:

Paul Chester Lead Guitar with Stratus, a jazz fusion band and Music Director of Dena Blue and The BlueJazz Band is pretty amazing as well as Andrew Lienhard- Keys, Tim Solook—Drums and Aric Nitzberg—Upright Bass I would say Diana Krall, Eric Clapton, Susan Boyle.

Road story: Your best or worst experience:

We were scheduled to perform at the Horn in Houston Texas for the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort organized by Mike Morrison and I was glad that we were at the beginning of the show so that I wouldn't be so nervous about having to follow the amazing talent the ususally put at the end of the show.. when we arrive I find out I am following the legendary Bobby Lyle. He is an entertainer extraordinare and was just a bit star struck. Bobby Lyle is a hard act to follow. "WOW!"

Favorite venue:

Wow .. there are so many, Johnny High Show at the Glen Rose Amphitheater, The Horn Houston TX, The Thirsty Parrot Monaville TX, and The Desert Diamond Casino

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

I love the first 3 each were so exciting but the one we are working on right now is an acoustical album and it is soft, sexy and delicious.

The first Jazz album I bought was:

Dinah Washington.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

Well with all of our musical efforts we are trying to open an academy for up and coming talent. Extraordinary talent that might not otherwise be heard. We are trying to help them find their stage.

Did you know...

That I am the lead vocals for a nationally known band... but I am secretly...very shy.

CDs you are listening to now:

Anything by Diana Krall, Dusty Springfield, Juice Newton and Pheobe Snow.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Exciting and challenging. It has to bring the comfort and familiar feelings of yesterday while breaking away from the pack and becoming the leader in cutting edge. Great time to be in jazz.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Every artist needs the support of their fans..in order to make a difference with their music.. We speak with our soul .. when we tell of your joys ..your heartaches .. your loves.. so be sure to get out and support your favorite artist. Attend their events, frequent and post positive comments on their sites........ buy their CD's .....request them at your favorite club and invite your friends..family ... coworkers to listen to their music become their fans. It keep the music... alive and in motion.

What is in the near future?

Working on our third album as I said and we are getting ready to perform on a cruise.. that should be lots of fun.

By Day:

I am a 24/7/365 musician.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

I would be involved in Artist/Musician Development.

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