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 KJ Denhert
“…a triple threat force of nature”

That’s what John Platt of WFUV Radio rightfully had to say about guitarist/singer/songwriter KJ Denhert. Her music transcends genres and referring to her as an “urban folk and jazz artist” only begins to sum up the influences heard in her performances and compositions. KJ channels passion through intelligent lyrics, soulful vocals and impeccable musicianship.  She is, irrepressible, exuberant, prolific, versatile and driven. KJ and her band The New York Unit just completed a summer tour that included the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz, San Jose and Cape Cod Jazz Festivals and a notable appearance at the Blue Note in New York. She’s produced eight records, and, since 1998, held ongoing residencies at The 55 Bar in NYC and The Baz Bar in St. Barth’s. KJ and her band have been invited artists-in-residence seven consecutive times at Italy’s renowned Umbria Jazz Festival.
The music she is writing, producing and arranging is always evolving. With this momentum she ‘s broken new ground with her Reggae anthem, Choose Your Weapon, self-released as a CD single and  made available for download this summer at www.kjdenhert.com.
“I’ve always wanted to sing Alfie and it brought me to tears when I tried it at The Blue Note so I just went into the studio to record the first two tracks of a soon to be released classic CD.
I also like to get inside people’s heads with songs that everyone knows but that no one would ever expect. I unveiled my rendition of Smoke on the Water at Rochester’s phenomenal jazz fest this summer–the place went wild. Everyone was smiling and asking for the recording. I have to hurry up and record that too!”
A self-taught instrumentalist, KJ Denhert was raised in the Bronx; a Grenadian-American with mixed West Indian roots.  Her love of music first became evident at 10 years old, when she composed a heartfelt tribute on a four-string guitar.
An expert wordsmith whose lyrics tell deeply personal stories that communicate universal truths, KJ began to seriously hit her stride as an independent songwriter, recording artist and producer in 2004 with the release of her album “Girl Like Me”. The song “Little Mary” off that album won first place at The Mountain Stage New Song Contest. “It was a breakthrough album for me artistically, which inspired me to leave my day job and focus on my music one more time”.
Her next album, “ The Songwriter’s Notebook”, is the only CD released with another songwriter, Adam Falcon, also an accomplished guitarist.  The CD opens with a soulful version of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Agua de Beber” arranged for two voices and two guitars. Closing the disc, KJ’s original song “Private Angel” also made her a winner of the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest that year earned her second independent music award nomination.
In 2006, she took home the Independent Music Award for “Best Live Performance CD”, which honored her fifth album “Another Year Gone By, Live”.
“They call me Lucky 7…lucky thing is I never give up…” These lyrics are pulled from the title track of the seventh studio album, Lucky 7. They speak an essential truth that is part of KJ’s lifelong outlook, imbued with a sense of hard-earned and cherished good fortune.  With the release of Lucky 7 KJ was signed to the Motema Music label, an independent record company based in Harlem NY.
It’s KJ’s phenomenal gift for live performance that has built her loyal, worldwide fan base, and her concerts should not be missed.  No where is this more evident than on KJ’s Dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz, recorded live at the Winter Festival held in Orvieto, Italy in 2007.  KJ’s long-standing band, the NY Unit, shines as a super-tight ensemble.  Their sound is built upon years of performing together and is the culmination of KJ’s musical philosophy. The disc opens and closes with a reprise from Denhert’s original suite of tunes called What’s My Name: “This is my favorite musical destination, that is to say, if you think of songs as journeys, as I do”. Aided by a grant from the Women in Music Foundation, this second disc was also picked up by Motema and received a nomination for an independent music award in the live performance category.
These days, KJ is enjoying the chance to be a little closer to home. She’s in the studio, back at the 55 Bar and practicing guitar every waking hour available. Since it is now required by common law, she has a Facebook page too!

For More Info Visit: KJDenhert.com