Witkowski’s playing is consistently thrilling, and her musical imagination seems boundless.
–All Music Guide
If, among contemporary pianists, Brad Mehldau and Bill Charlap represent the gold standard, then Deanna Witkowski deservedly ranks as their sterling sister.
–JazzTimes
On Raindrop: Improvisations with Chopin:
If ever there was an album that transcends genres, it’s Deanna Witkowski’s gorgeous new CD, Raindrop: Improvisations With Chopin.
-Ron Netsky, City Newspaper
Witkowski is a modern soloist that’s out to set new standards.
-Chris Spector, Midwest Record
One of the best of the new generation of jazz piano players.
-Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal International
Witkowski is an astonishingly versatile bandleader, capable of playing lush mainstream music one minute and moving comfortably into avant-garde waters the next.
–K. Leander Williams, Time Out New York
It’s amazing how much of Mary Lou Williams you have absorbed. You even have a little bit of her style without copying anything. ‘Wide Open Window’ [Deanna’s original tune for MLW] is a very interesting tune- she [MLW] would have loved that.
-Marian McPartland, speaking to Deanna on Piano Jazz in 2003
Vision and depth with every phrase, chord change and tempo variance make her music universally appealing. Witkowski is the real thing.
-Michael G. Nastos, WEMU, Cadence
Witkowski is not far from jazz stardom with her keyboard techniques, her imaginative composing and arranging, and her wordless vocalizing. Remember her name.
-Harvey Siders, JazzTimes
Witkowski’s unique combination of skills: her talent, commitment and clarity of vision, leave many other contemporary jazz artists in the dust. She’s an original!
-Don Glasgo, Dartmouth College
Wide Open Window will refuse to allow you to file it away and forget about. It’s too different and too vital. Bravo, Ms. Witkowski.
-Ken Egbert, Jazz Now
Exceptional taste and imagination, considerable harmonic resourcefulness, and the rare ability to shed striking new light on familiar material.
-Terry Teachout, critic for The New York Times