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Denise La Grassa

Singer/songwriter/keyboard player Denise La Grassa has been winning over audiences with her mix of jazzy/folk/rock & her effervescent personality since her 1999 debut The Tracks. She has played Chicago’s prominent jazz haunts, including The Green Mill, Pops for Champagne, The Velvet Lounge, Green Dolphin Street and Andy’s Jazz Club. She has appeared in New York City at The Knitting Factory, FEZ, H.E.R.E., Surf Reality & Collective Unconscious, as well as abroad in Germany, Switzerland and England.

With the release of April Dreams, her first CD in nearly 7 years, La Grassa can't help but look back on her childhood in suburban Chicago. Her infectious laugh bubbles out of her as she remembers the beginning of her songwriting career. "I was 5, maybe 6 years old and I was writing songs like mad. Once I had a fistful ready to go, I would head out and knock on my neighbors doors and sing the songs right there on their doorstep! I was hoping they'd like the songs enough to buy them. I thought if I sold enough songs, I could buy birthday & Christmas presents for my family. I tell you, I was on my way, but once my family phone started ringing with those, ahh, entertained neighbors, my Mom, uh, politely asked me to stop. But I did get a few dollars in my pocket, and more importantly, I got confidence at an early age as a songwriter."

Her song-selling may have been stopped prematurely, but Denise continued writing. "In third grade, I decided to tackle playwriting. My teacher, Mrs. Collins, read my stories, thought I was pretty good and arranged a meeting with the elementary school principal. She allowed me and my group of third grade thespians the chance to perform a Christmas play for the school. We rehearsed in the library after school, we got parents involved typing scripts, finding props and designing costumes. The play was a huge success and I was on my way to fame and fortune. But then, 4th grade blindsided me. My new teacher was, how should I say this, a wee bit underwhelmed by my endless creativity. I did write a few plays and songs, but my grades suffered, and I was "diagnosed" as a hyper-creative child. Back then I was misunderstood. I still wrote songs and plays, but when I was done, I tucked them inside my piano bench. I was really bummed."

On break one summer from college, Denise traveled to a place called The Second City in Chicago and discovered a school for performers and writers. "I couldn't believe what I found. A SCHOOL for people LIKE ME!!!! I left college and soaked up improv writing and acting. Within a year I was traveling with The Second City Touring Company and having the time of my life. One of my favorite improv techniques was called "Make-A-Song." The audience would shout out topics and ideas and I had to make up songs on the spot. I had a blast writing and singing melodies & parodies under pressure. My only regret is that I don't have recordings of those performances ... then again, maybe that's a good thing!"

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Album Review

Denise La Grassa: April Dreams

Read "April Dreams" reviewed by Matthew Warnock


April Dreams is a sultry album of original pop/jazz vocal compositions by Illinois-based singer Denise La Grassa. Featuring the solid rhythm-section work of guitarist Scott Tipping, bassist Matt Thompson, drummer Gerald Dowd and pianist Ben Lewis, the album is both tasteful and emotionally engaging. With catchy melodies, a strong ensemble performance and well-written lyrics, April Dreams weaves its way through the entire spectrum of modern pop/jazz in a highly entertaining fashion. All of its songs, with the exception ...

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“La Grassa is a singer of serious jazzy talent and an artful writer” Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune

“There is something thrilling about watching her … and that girl can sing!” Jack Helbig, Chicago Reader

“La Grassa’s performance and compositions are filled with a great deal of talent, originality and panache!” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“La Grassa's strong singing voice has a radiant folk quality” Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun Times

Primary Instrument

Vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

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