DEE DANIELS
Dee Daniels
Born in Berkeley, California, Dee Daniels has a B.A. Degree in Art Education and taught high school art for a year in Seattle. Her vocal style was born in her stepfather's church choir in Oakland, California, refined through the R&B era, polished during a five-year stay in The Netherlands and Belgium from 1982 to 1987, and brought to full fruition upon her return to North America. During those years to the present, she has performed and recorded with many 'Legends of Jazz' including Toots Thielemans, Houston Person, Clark Terry, Lionel Hampton, Ed Thigpen, Monty Alexander, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, and Russell Malone – to mention a few.
Dee's international career includes performances in twelve African countries, Australia, South America, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, throughout North America, and many countries within Europe. Career highlights include the 2009 receipt of an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Fine and Applied Arts and 2008 President's Award from Capilano University; 2003 recipient of the prestigious Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and induction into the University of Montana's School of Fine Arts Hall of Honor as well as a 1997 University of Montana Distinguished Alumni Award; a 2002 inductee into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame with a plaque installed on Vancouver's Granville Street Walk of Fame; and a command performance for the King and Queen of Belgium's 25th Wedding Anniversary. Sharing the stage while singing the blues with the late Sarah Vaughan, and singing gospel and blues with the late Joe Williams remains at the top of her list!
Dee has cultivated a diverse career that has also seen her on theatre stages including the 2009 premiere of New York choreographer, Twyla Tharp's, new musical, Come Fly Away, and, as an inspirational speaker, with her most recent keynote address being delivered at the 2009 Women's CEO & Senior Management Summit in Toronto.
With the creation of her Symphony Pops programs, Great Ladies of Swing and The Soul of Ray: The Music of Ray Charles, Dee has enjoyed sharing stages with symphony orchestras across the USA and Canada. She has toured with the Nord Netherlands Symphony Orchestra; performed Songs From Disney Movies with the Munich Radio Orchestra; recorded her Wish Me Love CD with The Metropole Orchestra of Holland; and recorded the Holiday Pops CD with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She is the guest vocalist on the 2006 Crossover Xmas and the 2007 Crossover Xmas: The Sound Goes Big CDs recorded with the Philharmonie Baden-Baden of Germany.
A respected vocal clinician, adjudicator, and mentor, Dee presents clinics, workshops, and master classes around the world. In 2001, she established the Dee Daniels Jazz Vocal Scholarship at the Capilano College in North Vancouver, BC. She served on the advisory board of the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival from 2002 – 2008, and has received several awards for her contribution in the field of music performance, music education, and community service.
Dee has many CDs to her credit as a leader, guest artist, and on compilation CDs. Visit www.deedaniels.com for further information about her releases in addition to reviews, performance schedule, gallery, and more.
Website: www.deedaniels.com