What Presenters Say About Dee Daniels "A Great Vocalist"

What Presenters Say About Dee Daniels

"Dee Daniels is not just a great vocalist... she is a great musician. Her range of expression is amazing. Audiences and musicians love her work. When I'm creating a symphony program and I want a jazz vocal artist, the first name I think of is... Dee Daniels!"

Jeff Tyzik, Principal Pops Conductor, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

"The great Lionel Hampton use to sum up the phenomena of Dee Daniels’ artistry by saying, "To know her is to love her." As someone who has witnessed the captivating vocal style and presence of Dee Daniels at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival for fifteen consecutive years, I can surely attest to her marvelous performance ability. Furthermore, I have had the opportunity of observing Dee’s innate ability to inspire and motivate hundreds of vocal and instrumental students in the role of Dee Daniels - the Teacher. I personally know almost every great jazz vocalist of our time, and in my opinion, Dee’s gift for teaching is the greatest of them all!"

Dr. Lynn J. Skinner, Executive Director Emeritus, Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, and Jazz Administrator, University of Idaho

"Dee is beyond category, although her influences are apparent. She has the strength and power of someone with classical technique, her gospel influence leaps at you from her soul, her jazz swings, her repertoire and knowledge of the American Songbook is expansive, and, she composes music and lyrics. Her vocal range is seemingly endless, something that many musicians marvel at about her. In concert, she is SCINTILLATING!"

John Clayton, Co-director of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Clayton Brothers Quintet, Bassist Extraordinaire, Arranger, Composer, Educator, Artistic Director, Grammy Nominee

"Dee Daniels presented a terrific program of music made famous by the ‘Great Ladies of Swing’. She never succumbed to the temptation of copying these ladies styles, but rather used those styles as a starting place so that what you got was pure Dee Daniels. That is a gift that everyone should experience. She is a vocalist with a beautiful voice, an enormous range, and a endless variety of styles that is destined to mesmerize and entertain any audience"

Michael Wall, Director of Artistic Operations, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

"Dee Daniels possesses a clear and powerful voice and the artistic flexibility to deliver the most intimate ballad, spirited jazz number, or heart-felt blues classic, all with an authenticity that reflects decades of dedication to the art of American song. All this, combined with a dazzling stage presence, gives her a singular ability to thrill an audience"

Michael Brockman, Artistic Director and Executive Director, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Faculty, University of Washington School of Music

"FANTASTIC!! Dee Daniels captured the audience when she first walked on stage and never let go! Her charismatic stage personality and incredible vocal flexibility coupled with outstanding arrangements by Dave Pierce, allowed each song to have its own special essence. Thanks for a great evening--Dee IS "The First Lady of Swing"."

William LaRue Jones, Music Director and Conductor, Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra

"Dee Daniels is a musician's musician. She thrills the audience and wows the musicians on stage. She is a consummate artist."

Tim Rawlings, Personnel Manager, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

"The Christmas concert with Dee was breathtaking - what a performance, what a very lovely lady. It was the best concert we ever had in the Alexandrium in Rotterdam, NL."

Tom Gosselaar, Tomusic Productions, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

"We thought Dee was fantastic. She has a striking presence and she really lit up the stage for us. Dee exudes style and has a wonderful, natural feel for popular song. And a great voice, too. Her sets with the orchestra went beautifully. Audiences loved her. As an added plus, she is a dream to work with. We look forward to having her back."

Jeff Woodruff, General Manager, The Florida Orchestra

"Dee Daniels delivers an evening of pure gold with her amazing talent as a swing/soul/gospel/jazz/blues entertainer. Her range and versatility are nothing short of phenomenal, and she delights the audience with her charm and wit. The charts Dee provides for her "Great Ladies of Swing" are masterfully orchestrated and downright fun for the orchestra to play. On top of everything, Dee is joy to work with - easy-going, organized, and professional. Dee is guaranteed to dazzle your audience."

Glenn Roberts, Executive Director, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic

"Some of the vocalists who have appeared at one or more of the 28 annual Paradise Valley Jazz Parties include Joe Williams, Ruth Brown, Linda Hopkins, Freddy Cole, and folks like that. This year Dee Daniels filled the vocalist spot with grace, charm, wit, and, most importantly swinging beautiful music. Our audience was as charmed as I was with her performance during the evening cameo and the Sunday morning "Gospel Hour". If I wasn't married for 52 years, was a bit younger, and if she were single. . . . (and not so damn tall... )."

Don Z. Miller, The Paradise Valley Jazz Party

"It was a pleasure to have Dee in Winnipeg. She was absolutely phenomenal in every way and Winnipeggers really fell in love with her! I (along with many new fans) am already looking forward to her next visit to Winnipeg!"

Charisse Wurch, Production Assistant, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

"I admire Dee Daniels professionally and personally. She is an artist; her ability to convey the power of a tune -- from belting out the high notes to the most intimate, quiet purring into the mic - is flawless. I also admire her stage presence - very comfortable with bantering and introducing the music in between tunes. She's a publicist's dream come true - warm, friendly, engaging in interviews. I can't wait to work with her again."

Liz Parker, Public Relations Manager, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

"Dee Daniels is a vibrant artist and we look forward to engaging her again."

Charles Calmer, Artistic Administrator, Oregon Symphony

"From my very first meeting with Dee Daniels I was taken back by her utter commitment to her performance and also her calm approach to rehearsals and her spot-on preparedness. The audience reaction to her dynamic personality and warmth set an atmosphere that reverberated throughout the auditorium. The reaction of the orchestra members, both at rehearsals and performances, to her interaction with them was displayed through their admiration for her musicianship and professionalism. The impressive range of her voice and the way in which she colors her dynamics brought the audience to their feet on many occasions. I cannot say enough about her stage presence and magnetic personality. From a conductor’s point of view she is a gem in that she knows her art so well that she performs with confidence and absolute authority."

Royston Nash, Music Director and Conductor, Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra

"Dee Daniels lived up to her billing and then some. Her range is truly incredible and is equally matched by her rapport with the audience. It was almost as if she knew them all personally."

Ted Hale, General Manager, Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale

"I heard nothing but rave reviews and compliments. People were absolutely thrilled and awed by the concert and by your incredible singing - the high and the low notes are beyond description!"

Jean Bristow, General Manager, Symphonie of the Kootenays

"Dee was fabulous. Classy, gracious and a superb entertainer. It's no wonder the audience was on its feet for an ovation!"

Alex Baran, Executive Director, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

"Dee Daniels gave us a superb concert. Her vocal artistry and dynamic presence left the audience spellbound. Our orchestra really enjoyed her charts, which are challenging, effective and fun. We will immediately ask her to return for an encore performance."

Glen Fast, Music Director, Kingston Symphony

"Dee was fantastic and exceeded all of our expectations. The class, elegance and style she brought to the evening left our audience breathless. Her musicianship combined with her incredible arrangements truly makes her one of the best vocalists of this or any generation."

Byron Stripling, Trumpeter/Conductor, Columbus Jazz Orchestra

"I just love Dee Daniels! She is the most wonderful guest artist. I so appreciate her willingness to give vocal clinics at the high schools whenever she comes to Rochester."

Adrienne Valencia, Director of Education & Outreach, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

"There are many great Pops performers with symphony orchestra but it would be difficult to find a better jazz vocalist than Dee Daniels. Dee literally brought the house down! Her singing has style AND substance, subtlety and charm. She has technique, range and lots of power and emotion. She is calm, very professional and courteous in rehearsal and dynamic in concert. She is a conductor’s dream and she wowed the orchestra as well. The "Great Ladies of Swing" program shows her great versatility with familiar jazz standards made popular by Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Her arrangements are also first-rate and very effective. I can’t wait to work with her again!"

Nicholas Palmer, Music Director, Owensboro Symphony, Altoona Symphony, Nashville Ballet, Evening Under the Stars Music Festival

"Dee was a pleasure and a delight. Though her musical ability was fantastic, it was her communication with the audience that often brought our sold-out crowd to its feet! We look forward to having her return to Portland."

Chuck Carpenter, President Jazz Society of Oregon

"Dee combines a great voice with wonderful stage presence and imaginative arrangements, guaranteed to please audiences of all ages. Dee is true to the style of the great singers of the past but has her own distinctive sound and way of delivering a song. She is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her for symphony Pops concerts."

Lawrence J. Fried, Executive Director, Bellevue Philharmonic

"Dee Daniels is a performer of outstanding artistry. She sings with deep feeling and polished technique and her magnetism creates a deep emotional connection with the audience. Dee delivers a whopping good show."

Brian Davenport, Conductor, Federal Way Symphony

"Dee's performance was a perfect match to a setting sun over the Olympics and Puget Sound. Her innovative renditions from the great ladies of the swing era brought our sold-out audience to its feet several times. I am sure our audience would return time and time again to hear Dee's smoky vocals. She made the audience and orchestra members feel as if they had been friends for a long time. This was a most comfortable fit for the debut of our first out door symphonic pops concert. We are still hearing wonderful comments from audience members about Dee weeks after the event! We want her back!!!"

Kathy Franklin, Co-President Federal Way Symphony

"I have performed in many Pops concerts in the 20 or so years that I have been a member of WSO, and must admit that this one was the highlight for me. I felt it a privilege to play in the orchestra for this one and marveled at your brilliance as a vocalist. I want to thank you for the opportunity to do so and let you know how special it was for me to hear music that was so much a part of my life for so many years. I wish you the very best and sincerely hope that we'll (the WSO) have the opportunity to perform with you again in the future. Thank you."

Dale Heisinger, Whatcom Symphony Orchestra

"We all enjoyed Dee's show immensely and had a great time playing it. The charts were fabulous - well arranged and challenging to the players. Dee is an unbelievable entertainer and even more exceptional musician. It was one of the best jazz shows I've done and as a librarian, one of the most organized and well put together programs."

Nora Lowden, Orchestra Librarian/Third Horn, Victoria Symphony

"Our jazz series, now in its 3rd season, needed a stimulus to show our patrons some of the more innovative aspects of jazz improvisation. And how she delivered! Dee is not only one of the leading jazz singers of our day, but an accomplished pianist as well. She shall surely become one of the immortal giants of our time along with Pearl Bailey, Peggy Lee, Sarah and Ella. Her stage presence is poised, graceful and altogether professional and she had the audience in the palm of her hand. Dee is a warm, caring person blessed with humour, and settled in for a 2-day visit like an old friend. We loved her, for herself and for her great musical talents, and dearly hope she can return."

Dr. David W. Hurst, Chairman, Jazz Series, Roselawn Centre, Port Colborne, Ontario

"Thanks for making our 6th Edmonds Jazz Connection a huge success. You truly connected with our audience and the word's out - it's our best concert yet."

Ron Keimer, Edmonds Jazz Connection

"Dee Daniels is the best singer I’ve ever heard!"

Lou Soloff, Trumpet (Blood, Sweat & Tears)

"Dee Daniels, one of my favorite people on this earth. To call her a vocalist is an understatement. Her performances jump straight into your bloodstream!"

Benny Powell, Trombone - Count Basie Big Band Alumni, Jazz Legend

"There have been two vocalists that I felt I could accompany when I first heard their recordings - Carmen McRae and Dakota Staton. Both because of how they communicated to me. When I hit the first note on the piano with Dee, it felt so good, so right. It was not only her voice, her swing, her soul, but her musicianship as well. Our communication was fluid. She knew what the band was doing, and what to do about it vocally. I was comfortable and confident playing for her!"

Norman Simmons, Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Jazz Legend