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KJ Denhert

Internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter KJ Denhert was recently tasked with telling her life story in a series of 10 slides. The first image she chose was that of a record player. “I spent hours in front of the record player dancing to the same song over and over. I must have been about 4 – music really held me together growing up. ”

KJ’s career spans 40 years, 10 albums, with legions of devoted fans worldwide. She grew up in a time of fiery cultural upheaval and has experienced profound social growth in the world as she sees it. Her albums are personal and this, her 11th album, is her first in five years. “The songs on this album are a look at who and what made me who I am today. It is the right time for these particular stories for me.”

KJ is a kinetic soul unbound by identity directives. With her acoustic guitar, she draws from a broad palette of urban musical heritage, and jazz and folk traditions. KJ is a gifted guitarist who can effortlessly inhabit and meld many musical worlds with reverence and authority. Her soulful and smoky vocal stylings are earthy and elegant. Her lyrics embody the romance and poetry of the American Songbook; her truths are written with empirical detail. As the storyteller who has lived these tales, KJ liberates her listeners with understatement.

Her formative influences include singer songwriters like, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Born the same year as Michael Jackson and Prince she embraced them and loves Stevie Wonder and Chaka Kahn. everything from the classic folk of Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn to the jazz rock fusion of Steely Dan and of course the Beatles who she re-invents on several of her last albums.

She has seen the pyramids in Egypt; and the Indian Ocean, where she entertained a 4,000+ audience of troops for the USO. Her fans have flown her around the world like the trip to play a surprise birthday party in Sweden last June. She has a collection of high adventure tales, like being lowered from helicopters to perform at sea and visiting the active border between North and South Korea. This album could be seen as a prequel to those early years on the road.

KJ has garnered critical acclaim, earning seven Independent Music Awards, as a winning finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest, the Mountain Stage New Song Contest and as a grand prize finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. In addition to these accolades, she’s maintained a 20 + year residency at Manhattan’s storied 55 Bar and enjoyed notable artist residencies in Italy and on the island of St. Barthélemy.

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Interview

Urban Folk & Jazz from a Girl like KJ Denhert

Read "Urban Folk & Jazz from a Girl like KJ Denhert" reviewed by Gina Vodegel


KJ Denhert is a regular performing artist at the New York 55 Bar, the club where guitarists Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz also love to entertain their guests in the club's intimate ambiance. To see KJ Denhert live is a vibrant and enchanting experience; she's accompanied by outstanding musicians, and turns standards and covers into gems of her own. She describes her music as “urban folk and jazz," and it's both funky and groovy, as well as lyrical, soulful and ...

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Performance / Tour

KJ Denhert Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary In Next Month’s “Spotlight Series” At BMCC Tribeca PAC

KJ Denhert Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary In Next Month’s “Spotlight Series” At BMCC Tribeca PAC

Source: Michael Sanders

On Friday, March 16, 2012 at 8PM, BMCC Tribeca PAC presents the uniquely talented and culturally blended feel-good music of award-winning singer-songwriter and bandleader, KJ Denhert. This concert will celebrate KJ's 15th anniversary with her touring band, the NY Unit. Joining KJ are band members: Mamadou Ba (bass), Adam Klipple (keys), Aaron Heick (sax) and Raymond Levier (drums). Special guests include: Jen Chapin, Adam Falcon and Tomas Donker. Tickets are $15 each or $10 with the purchase of a “Spotlight ...

304

Recording

KJ Denhert - Album No. 9 (2010)

KJ Denhert - Album No. 9 (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By Mark Saleski You look at the song listing and see “Alfie," “Pennies From Heaven," “Shadow Of Your Smile," and..."Smoke On The Water“? What? Did I read that right? Yes, and singer-guitarist KJ Denhert is not foolin' around. Well, except for when she is. Denhert refers to her music as “Urban Folk and Jazz," which kind of makes sense if “urban" can be split into its constituent parts: funk and soul. In fact, let's start right ...

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Recording

KJ Denhert Counts Her Blessings With Album No. 9

KJ Denhert Counts Her Blessings With Album No. 9

Source: GoMedia PR

Singer/Songwriter's 9th CD, Featuring 9 Tracks Recorded with 9 Musicians, Will Be Released on Motèma Music on November 9 “This is an album about freedom," says KJ Denhert, reflecting on her ninth release, aptly titled Album No.9, with nine songs, featuring nine musicians and recorded over the span of nine months. “If you are into numerology, you might have guessed by now that my life-path number is 9. Coincidence? Actually, yes. All of it." Derived from one's date of birth, ...

192

Performance / Tour

KJ Denhert at Knowlton Riverfest

KJ Denhert at Knowlton Riverfest

Source: Mixed Media Promotion

WHO: K.J. Denhert

WHEN: Saturday August 16, 2008, 4pm

WHERE: Knowlton Riverfest Rt. 46/Hunters Lodge Delaware, NJ Ph: 908-475-2868

COST: Adults $10/day Children 16 & under free Seniors (65& over) and Knowlton Residents $5

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Award-winning, NYC-based singer-songwriter-guitarist KJ Denhert - known for her soulful fusion of jazz, R&B, rock and folk - is in the midst of ...

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Performance / Tour

KJ Denhert at Dazzle August 2nd

KJ Denhert at Dazzle August 2nd

Source: Mixed Media Promotion

WHO: K.J. Denhert

WHEN: Saturday August 2, 2008, 7 PM & 9 PM

WHERE: Dazzle Jazz 930 Lincoln St. Denver, CO 80203 Ph: 303.839.5100

COST: $15 cover

NYC-BASED SINGER-SONGWRITER KJ DENHERT DRAWS ACCLAIM

DURING HER FIRST-EVER WEST COAST TOUR Award-winning, NYC-based singer-songwriter-guitarist KJ Denhert - known for her soulful fusion of jazz, R&B, rock and folk - is in the midst of her first-ever itinerary of ...

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Event

Kate McGarry Quartet, KJ Denhert, Howard Fishman at "Summer on the Hudson"

Kate McGarry Quartet, KJ Denhert, Howard Fishman at "Summer on the Hudson"

Source: Reva Cooper

Summer On the Hudson, one of New York City's largest free summer festivals, continues its eighth season with a summer of unique contemporary music events at Riverside Park South, including the Kate McGarry Quartet, KJ Denhert and Howard Fishman's Biting Fish Brass Band on its July 13-August 24 “Acoustic Sundays" series. Summer On The Hudson is an Annual Arts and Cultural Festival in Riverside Park South Presented by The New York City Department Of Parks & Recreation Date: Sundays, July ...

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Performance / Tour

K.J. Denhert Draws Acclaim During First-Ever West Coast Tour

K.J. Denhert Draws Acclaim During First-Ever West Coast Tour

Source: All About Jazz

Award-winning, NYC-based singer-songwriter-guitarist K.J. Denhert - known for her soulful fusion of jazz, R&B, rock and folk - is in the midst of her first-ever itinerary of west coast dates. KJ and her longtime band, the super-tight NY Unit, drew an enthusiastic reception at Yoshi's in San Francisco last week, and at Temple Bar in Santa Monica this week. At the latter date, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and contemporary blues icon Keb' Mo' were in attendance. Next up on Denhert's inaugural ...

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Event

KJ Denhert at Dazzle June 8 in Denver!

KJ Denhert at Dazzle June 8 in Denver!

Source: Mixed Media Promotion

KJ and her band will be performing at the Dazzle Jazz Restaurant and Lounge on Friday, June 8th at 7PM & 9PM! KJ Denhert is a unique artist, singer, guitarist and songwriter who calls her music Urban Folk and Jazz. Her voice is powerful, her lyrics full of intelligent insight, and her musicianship is impeccable. Her eclectic yet unified performances reach out to many different types of audiences without compromising her music and beliefs. Her most recent recording, Lucky 7, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Lucky Seven

Motéma
2007

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Lucky 7

Whaling City Sound
2007

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