Jazz Articles about Deanna Witkowski

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Deanna Witkowski: Length of Days

by Dan McClenaghan
December 28, 2005

Pianist Deanna Witkowski began her musical journey on the classical side, studying piano and flute. In college jazz called, first on the saxophone, then through piano lessons from Chucho Valdes and Hilario Duran. Length of Days, Witkowski's third release as a leader, opens with “Beautiful Hands," inspired by a compliment given to her by Billy Childs. High praise from such an accomplished fellow pianist/composer, but he could just as well have remarked on a beautiful throat to compliment Witkowski's vocal ...

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Deanna Witkowski: Length of Days

by John Kelman
December 24, 2005

Brian Camelio's ArtistShare model, allowing music to be distributed without the inherent loss of profitability that comes from dealing with all manner of middle men, has taken off in the past two years, with releases by artists like Maria Schneider, Jim Hall, and Cuong Vu. By placing more control in the artist's hands, he's made it possible for the kinds of sales numbers associated with jazz's more marginalized position to not inherently result in financial loss. And while the idea ...

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C. Michael Bailey's Best Recordings of 2003

by C. Michael Bailey
December 19, 2003

Finally, we have made it to the end of this fine year. Below is a smattering of the finest recordings to come my way this year, along with links to the reviews. This list is separate from my Top Ten List, which will be derived from those below. Deanna Witkowski--Wide Open Window New York pianist/singer/composer Deanna Witkowski is perhaps the leading prot駩 of the famous Cuban pianist Chucho Vald鳮 That ...

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Deanna Witkowski: Wide Open Window

by Dan McClenaghan
October 23, 2003

New York-based pianist Deanna Witkowski opens up Wide Open Window with the first of three Cole Porter tunes, a trio workout of "All Through the Night" with enough harmonic liberties to rend the tune nearly unrecognizable; but it's still a lovely, energetic rendition, an up-tempo romp over a flexible rhythm. It's a trio again for "Just One of Those Things," a bit more reverent this time, with some tight yet inventive improvisation by Witkowski. The third Porter tune, "From This ...

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Deanna Witkowski: Wide Open Window

by Jerry D'Souza
October 13, 2003

This is Deanna Witkowski’s second album. Her debut was Having To Ask, and if anything, it proves she has abundant talent as a pianist and as a writer. Witkowski sets her path with an accent on lyricism. Even when she deconstructs the melody, there is a sense of time and space and beauty. Add her sense of harmony, and she has the music in constant flow.

Here, Witkowski pulls in several standards with the emphasis on Cole ...

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Deanna Witkowski: Wide Open Window

by AAJ Staff
May 25, 2003

A quick listen to Wide Open Window doesn't really set off any special alarms. It's not the kind of record that reaches out and grabs you, begs attention, or highlights some dramatic revolution in style. But then that doesn't seem to be what pianist Deanna Witkowski is after, really. At the tender age of 30, she's confident enough to hold back on the fireworks and concentrate on substance.

Witkowski's second jazz record trims things down to the classic quartet: piano, ...

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Deanna Witkowski: Wide Open Window

by C. Michael Bailey
January 26, 2003

New York pianist/singer/composer Deanna Witkowski is perhaps the leading protégé of the famous Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés. That alone should make most folks stand up and take notice. Her Kheaon Records debut, Wide Open Window, should make the remainder rise. Her music potently reveals the influence of Valdés, but this influence in no way smothers Witkowski’s considerable talent.

The very talented bassist Jonathan Paul and drummer Tom Hipskind support Witkowski on this outing. Saxophonist of the hour Donny ...