THE PATH TO JAZZ

After spending my youth exhausting the plethora of creative opportunities afforded one in a small midwestern town (Stevensville, MI), I moved to L.A. I studied music and theatre at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and in California State Northridges’ two-year intensive Theatre Repertory Program, obtaining a BA in Theatre Arts.  I moved to Chicago in 1992 to be closer to my family and to do theatre.

After three years of steady work in the Chicago theatre scene, a friend turned me on to a book called "The Artist's Way," which was instrumental in my decision to pursue a career as a jazz vocalist.

MY CAREER AS A JAZZ SINGER, FLAUTIST AND TEACHER

As a Chicago jazz singer and flautist, I am proud to say that beginning in 1996, I have performed and continue to perform at the finest music venues in Chicago with the city's most sought after Chicago jazz musicians.  In fact, the October 09' issue of Time Out Chicago said "Jazz dynamo Dame continues to be a gem in the city's vocal jazz scene."

In 2005, my self-produced debut recording, Comes Love, was released to wide critical acclaim and worldwide radio play on Chicago’s own blujazz record label. The album features an all-star Chicago rhythm section: pianist Jeremy Kahn, bassist Rob Amster and drummer Tim Davis, as well as Art Davis (trumpet), Dave Onderdonk (guitar) and the late, great Johnny Frigo (violin).

My second CD, a live recording at the venerable jazz club, Katerina's, is also in the works.

Today, I am challenged and inspired by the vast jazz repertoire available to me, by my fellow musicians, by my students and by you, the listener. I expand as a jazz vocalist by interpreting and teaching the classic and complex repertoire from The American Popular Songbook known as “The Standards.”