Mary Lou Williams and Deanna’s trip to Pittsburgh

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Deanna

As a musician, the sensation of being “in the flow” occurs when music is easily moving through me; when group interplay rises to unexpected levels; when everything happens with ease. I experience this on many occasions while playing music, and … Continue reading →

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NEW! Comfort Ye: 5 Advent and Christmas pieces

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Deanna

As a former church music director, I know what it feels like to look at your upcoming calendar and realize that you need to quickly fill a spot or two for the Advent or Christmas season. With that in mind, … Continue reading →

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GRAMMY For Your Consideration: Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Deanna

Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns is in three pre-nomination categories for the 2019 Grammy Awards!  •Category 33: Best Jazz Instrumental Album (#287, Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns) •Category 31: Best Improvised Jazz Solo (#391, “Lord, I Want … Continue reading →

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Deanna’s jazz hymns article in the September issue of Down Beat!

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Deanna

My article, “Making Hearts and Voices Sing: Creating Jazz Hymns,” is now out in the September issue of Down Beat (it’s on pages 82-84). Complete with notated music examples, it offers practical tools on where to start in creating jazz arrangements of … Continue reading →

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Back from Brazil! Photos from the Santuário Nacional de Nossa Senhora Aparecida

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Deanna

I returned from my artist residency in Brazil on June 11. Since then, I’ve been going through photos, reading my “morning pages” (daily journal entries), and delving into books that I bought during my stay, like this great one on the story … Continue reading →

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Deanna no Brasil (Deanna in Brazil): Part 2 of 3.

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Deanna

Bom dia (good morning)! This is my second post from Bahia, Brazil, where I’ve been living since the beginning of April. I have one week left in my residency at the Sacatar Institute on the island of Itaparica, followed  by … Continue reading →

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Deanna no Brasil: The first three weeks!

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Deanna

Greetings from Itaparica, Bahia, Brazil!  As I write in my beachfront studio, I am looking out on water, sand, sky, clouds, and five Brazilian boys who are doing flips on the beach! It is a little strange sometimes to realize … Continue reading →

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Deanna in Bahia, Brazil!

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Deanna

Happy Easter, Passover, and spring! In exactly one week, I’ll be flying to Brazil to spend eight weeks at the Sacatar Institute in Itaparica, Bahia. I’ve been preparing for this trip for months and it’s finally almost here.  And I’ve … Continue reading →

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Deanna’s February newsletter

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Deanna

The beginning of 2018 has been filled with travel, performances, and a new choral commission! Read/view my February e-news here. For those of you who aren’t on my mailing list and would like to be, send me an email and I’ll … Continue reading →

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HYMN TUNE HISTORY: KINGS OF ORIENT (We Three Kings)

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Deanna

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here’s the fifth entry in my hymn history co-blog with author and activist, Pam McAllister.  We’re exploring the history of each of the hymns on Makes the Heart to Sing: Jazz Hymns. In this post, we look … Continue reading →

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