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Louise Denson
Louise Denson is a pianist, composer/arranger, improviser and educator. She holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Queensland Conservatorium (Brisbane) where she was a Senior Lecturer in Jazz Studies, 1999-2020. She completed her Masters in Jazz at New England Conservatory (Boston), studying with such luminaries as Paul Bley, George Russell, Bevan Manson and Joe Maneri. She has issued 7 CDs, 3 through labels and 4 independently. Nova Nova (2021) earned a 4-star review in the Weekend Australian Review, and Colours of Your Love (2018, with Ingrid James and Wild Silk Strings Project) received acclaim from around the world. She is a Represented Artist with the Australian Music Centre; a selection of her fully scored works are published by Wirripang. Denson’s unique approach to music emphasises melody and rich, contemporary harmony. Her compositions have been widely performed. ‘Saborea el momento’, commissioned by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, was premiered in February 2022. Cooktown Cantata: Songs of Love, Place and Identity, a 50-min work for 3 voices and 6-piece ensemble, was commissioned by the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association (Cooktown) for the 250th anniversary of the voyage of the Endeavour to Far North Queensland. Her works have been performed/recorded by artists as diverse as Viney-Grinberg Duo, Muses Trio, Downbeat poll-winning trombonist Bill Watrous, Bell Award-winning vocalist Elly Hoyt, Southern Cross Soloists, Diana Tolmie, Enthusiastic Musicians Orchestra and Brisbane Jazz Orchestra. Denson’s groups have performed at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Women’s Jazz Festival, Manly Jazz Festival, Brisbane International Jazz Festival, Brisbane Festival (Spiegeltent), Clarence Jazz Festival and others. She has collaborated with renowned musicians including Sandy Evans, Julien Wilson, Ted Vining, Spike Mason, John Mackey, Martin Kay, James Sandon, Martha Baartz, Adrian Cunningham, Miro Bukowsky, Steve Newcomb, Helen Russell, Peter Walters, Andrew Shaw, Todd Harrison, Paul Hudson, Cameron Reid, Tony Floyd, Ronny Ferella and Fabian Hevia. https://louisedenson.com/home.php
Awards
QRA Sunnie Award - Best Jazz Recording - Clean Start
QSong Pinnacles Jazz Award - Time to Be (Denson/James)
Queensland Music Awards - Jazz Composition:
Highly Commended Frangipani, Lost my Heart (Denson/James), I'll Ask You One More Time, Another Cup, Sparring, Sparing, Mercurio.
Finalist - All I Know (Denson/Hoyt)
Gear
Kawai keyboard, speaker
Tags
“The music speaks simultaneously to the heart, mind and body...Sit back and enjoy the inventive twists and turns of Denson’s melodies...James’s vocal melodies soar with freedom and confidence bringing a wonderfully individual colour to the sound of the band...” Sandy Evans, saxophonist/composer, OAM
"This is exciting playing by a wonderful group of musicians, and clearly they have a deep respect for the jazz tradition. Ingrid and Louise have brought new things to music by way of creative lyrics and compositions. They connect beautifully with one another in terms of sound quality – nothing forced, nothing overdone, and very refined. Words form one song describe their collaboration perfectly: Warm and Beautiful.” Tony Gould, pianist/composer/educator
