by Elisa Zuckerberg, founder of HearItThere
Thursday, April 14, 2022
As a fan of her music, I’ve been following KJ Denhert’s calendar for years. I FINALLY made it to one of her shows this past weekend. On Saturday, April 9 KJ presented her Jazz Project to her adoring audience at a beautiful venue called Tompkins Corners Cultural Center (TCCC) in Putnam Valley, New York. KJ Denhert has enjoyed a residency in NYC at the 55 Bar since 1997 and featured her Jazz Project there over the last several years. At the urging of the band members, the ensemble has embarked upon a studio album set for release in the fall. This show was their Putnam Valley premiere and a chance to hear the songs.
On this evening the incredible ensemble included Nicky Denner, Eric Halverson, drums, Mark McIntyre, guitar, and Adam Armstrong on bass. They are all working jazz musicians and very accomplished musicians in their own right.
I had the pleasure of chatting with KJ several times over the years, whereby she would often tell me stories about her life and those events that impacted her music career. She’d also remind me that she coined the term or music genre, “Urban Folk & Jazz.” Watching and listening to her perform on Saturday, I can tell you that KJ Denhert’s style is this and so much more! In my opinion, her music and style defies genre. I’d say jazz, folk, rock, soul, blues wrapped up in one fabulous package!
With her acoustic guitar, she draws from a broad palette of urban musical heritage, and jazz and folk traditions. Her formative influences include singer songwriters like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Born the same year as Michael Jackson and Prince she embraced them and loves Stevie Wonder and Chaka Kahn – everything from the classic folk of Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn to the jazz rock fusion of Steely Dan and of course the Beatles who she re-invents on several of her last albums. Kjdenhert.com
KJ is not new to this music thing. She’s been writing, arranging songs and performing for over 40 years, a career that includes 10 albums and legions of devoted fans worldwide.
The program covered a range of KJ Denhert’s original tunes and interpretations of familiar folk, pop and jazz songs. This includes a jazzy-folky version of Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird” and “Eleanor Rigby.” My favorite of this evening was a KJ original, a beautiful song called “Esmerelda.”
Esmerelda ~ ‘Backed by a tango-infused groove, a lush instrumental tapestry… KJ paints a loving portrait of a friend she was grateful to have made in her Cornell days.’ – kjdenhert.com
You can check out a clip of “Esmerelda” on the HearItThere Facebook Page, KJ’s Facebook Page or a recent solo version from Jazz at the Lodge.
Photo: Raquel Vidal
How lucky was I to sit next to professional songwriter, Raquel Vidal? She opened my eyes to some of the nuances of KJ’s musical and songwriting prowess.
“Waist-high in boxes but so happy to escape last night and check out my friend, KJ Denhert’s incredible jazz project at Tompkins Corners. The band ebb and flow in a beautifully symbiotic way and I can only say it’s like witnessing an awesome force of nature. Thank you, KJ and co. for sharing your gifts.” – Raquel Vidal, songwriter
I cannot wait to see KJ Denhert perform again! I’d be happy watching her solo, duo, or any combination and I know it will be an entertaining listening experience.
KJ will be taking up residency at the weekly Organ Groove at Jazz at the Lodge in Ossining, New York on Thursday evenings in April. You can find out more about the Lodge’s shows and Denhert’s upcoming shows on her website.
Tompkins Corners Cultural Center ~ Nestled in the wood in Putnam County, TCCC is a very special venue whose mission is to preserve the building, an historic church, and promote the arts in the region. They draw from folks who live in nearby towns including Cold Spring, Peekskill, Mahopac, and Beacon. If you want to learn more about Tompkins Corners Cultural Center and their upcoming music schedule, visit their website.
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