Deanna Witkowski
Known for her adventurous, engaging music that heals the soul, pianist-composer-vocalist Deanna Witkowski moves with remarkable ease between Brazilian, jazz, classical, and sacred music. The award- winning bandleader releases her seventh recording, Force of Nature (MCG Jazz) in January 2022, a companion piece to her biography, Mary Lou Williams: Music For The Soul (Liturgical Press), published in September 2021. The two projects cap a twenty-year deep dive into the ground-breaking impact of Williams’ life and music, making Witkowski one of the few living authorities on the iconic pianist. As a sought after Williams expert, she has presented at the Kennedy Center, Duke University, Fordham University, and performed Williams’ compositions as a featured guest with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
In concert and on recordings, Witkowski’s explosive performances combine virtuosity and heart, telling stories that reveal her innate curiosity of the human condition. Her albums range from powerhouse arrangements of Cole Porter standards (Wide Open Window; Length of Days) to sparkling trio re- imaginings of traditional hymns (Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns) to solo piano that blurs the lines between Brazilian, jazz, and classical (Raindrop: Improvisations with Chopin). Witkowski has recorded with Grammy nominees John Patitucci, Kate McGarry, and Donny McCaslin, and has performed and toured with renowned vocalists Lizz Wright, Nnenna Freelon, Erin Bode, Filó Machado, and Vanessa Rubin.
Read moreTags
Album Review
- Force of Nature by Jerome Wilson
Radio & Podcasts
Album Review
- Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns by Dan Bilawsky
- Raindrop: Improvisations with Chopin by Hrayr Attarian
- From This Place by Jerry D'Souza
Take Five With...
Album Review
- Length of Days by Jerry D'Souza
- Length of Days by Dan McClenaghan
- Length of Days by John Kelman
Bailey's Bundles
Read more articlesSeptember 21, 2017
Pianist Deanna Witkowski Presents Trio Arrangements Of 14 Hymns On...
November 22, 2010
The Sacred Jazz of Deanna Witkowski
September 23, 2010
Filo Machado and Deanna Witkowski on US tour from Oct 10-21
March 10, 2010
Filo Machado Joins Deanna Witkowski in Concert from 3/19-23 in VT, MA,...
August 26, 2009
Pianist/Composer/Vocalists Deanna Witkowski and Brenda Earle Share a...
April 24, 2009
Download Three Free MP3s by Pianist Deanna Witkowski
March 17, 2009
Deanna Witkowski CD Release Concert
July 25, 2007
Deanna Witkowski and Sarah Manning at Jazz Gallery on August 4th
June 01, 2007
Deanna Witkowski Solo Performance at the Fazioli Salon, 8 June at 8 PM
December 05, 2006
Deanna Witkowski and Dr. Tammy Kernodle present Moving with the Spirit:...
One of the best of the new generation of jazz piano players. -Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International
PRAISE FOR DEANNA'S BOOK, MARY LOU WILLIAMS: MUSIC FOR THE SOUL: A beautifully written and expertly researched biography of one of the most fascinating Catholic artists of our time. Deanna Witkowski, a musician herself, brings to life a whole era in this engrossing new book about art, music, love, perseverance, and faith. -James Martin, SJ, author of Learning to Pray
An impressively informative and exceptionally well-written biography of a remarkable woman and her equally remarkable talent. -Midwest Book Review
Primary Instrument
Piano
Location
Pittsburgh
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Photos
Concert Schedule
Albums
Carcinoma
From: Force of NatureBy Deanna Witkowski
Kings of Orient (We Three Kings)
From: Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz...By Deanna Witkowski
Light that Shimmers
From: Raindrop: Improvisations with...By Deanna Witkowski