Motema

“They call me lucky 7...
lucky thing is I never give up...”

About KJ Denhert and LUCKY 7

Pulled from KJ Denhert’s new album, LUCKY 7, these wry lyrics sum up the soulful honesty of this NYC-based singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer’s genre-transcending artistry. An enhanced-CD that’s KJ’s seventh release on her own Mother Cyclone Records imprint and her first with Motéma, LUCKY 7 radiates her irrepressibly larger-than-life personality, emotionally resonant voice and impeccable musicianship, which have won her an international cult following. With these qualities in full force on her Motéma debut, KJ is poised to hit the jackpot of breaking through to far broader audiences everywhere–lucky for everyone!

With a bold fusion of urban-folk, jazz, R&B, blues, funk and pop, KJ exhibits fire and passion through insightful lyrics, sultry vocals and fluid guitar. WFUV-FM/New York public radio DJ John Platt has rightfully called this self-described “Mother Cyclone,” “a triple threat force of nature.” Also recognizing the joyful philosopher side of her persona, Performing Songwriter seconds the emotion with, “KJ Denhert is so full of a love for life that you hear it in her voice, her lyrics and the exuberant beats of her songs.”

On LUCKY 7, KJ feels she’s achieved a rich culmination of her repertoire to date–a seamless blend of influences that, “I hope will be recognized as my signature style.” A Bronx-raised Grenadian-American with mixed West Indian roots, KJ’s early inspirations, which echo throughout the record, are as eclectic and diverse as her music. “I fell in love with Sergio Mendes when I was eight,” she says. I liked John Hartford and Glen on the Glen Campbell Show, and I really got into James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, whom I still consider my two main influences. I also loved Carole King and Laura Nyro, developed a thing for Steely Dan’s music, and practically wore out my copy of Hubert Laws’ Rite Of Spring.”

LUCKY 7 was produced by Denhert, who also enlisted keyboardist Bennett Paster to co-produce a number of tracks–they first collaborated at the 2006 Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy (where she has now played four times). The album was recorded and mixed by GRAMMY®-winning engineer/producer Ben Wisch (Marc Cohn, Jonatha Brooke, Diana Krall, Patty Larkin, etc.), and beautifully reflects his penchant for adding a pop sheen to the vocals while simultaneously underscoring the singer’s individuality and emotional authenticity.

The enhanced CD features twelve songs–eleven new originals plus an intimate version of “Over The Rainbow” that’s a fan favorite at shows. Eloquent visual content presents KJ and her super-tight ensemble, the NY Unit, in all their swingin’ glory. Video highlights also include the revealing “Meet KJ” and song stand-outs include: the funky opener “Little Problems,” the Steely Dan-inflected heartbreaker “He’s Not Coming Home,” the infectious three-part suite “What’s My Name” and KJ’s haunting, unaccompanied performance of “Sad Song.” Of the latter, KJ says, “You may notice a bit of James Taylor channeling through me in the solo guitar and voice rendition.”

The soulful title track, another stand-out, is imbued with the sense of hard-earned and cherished good fortune that defines this career moment for KJ–“I do feel on the verge of something more,” she says. The song was originally called “She’s On The Money Tonight,” which remains a lyric – and an essential truth about LUCKY 7 from start to finish.

A self-taught instrumentalist, KJ plays Martin 00CXAE acoustic guitars throughout LUCKY 7 (as well as at her shows). Asked about her guitar influences she explains, “I picked up a guitar and started writing songs when I was 10. I taught myself to play by listening to records over and over. During my teenage years, I learned about guitar tablature from a great James Taylor book and I discovered modal tunings from Joni Mitchell’s For The Roses.”

Also shining on LUCKY 7 is the NY Unit, KJ’s long-standing band, featuring Mamadou Ba, Ray Levier and Peter Vitalone. They’re joined by a variety of esteemed guest artists including bassist Richard Bona, drummer Steve Hass (Ravi Coltrane, John Scofield), Etienne Stadwijk (Richard Bona band) and Manolo Badrena (Weather Report, Michael Franks). Longtime bassist Whynot Jansveld (Jonatha Brooke, Gavin Degraw) resumes his place with the Unit for two tracks and drummer Thierry Arpino (Jean Luc Ponty) makes an appearance.

Ace saxophonist Aaron Heick (Chaka Kahn, Barbara Streisand, Richard Bona, Carly Simon, etc.) recently came on board as a featured artist for the Umbria Jazz Festival (Winter 2007). Due to amazing chemistry between him and KJ, he’s now performing regularly with her and the Unit on a number of key dates. He’ll also be featured on an upcoming live album, recorded at the Umbria Festival and on St. Barth's Island. The disc is slated to follow up LUCKY 7 in Fall 2008.

A Bit Of Background

KJ Denhert has been making audiences laugh, dance and cry for over three decades. She’s self-produced seven records, appeared at scores of festivals and, since 1998, held ongoing residencies at The ‘55 Bar’ in NYC and at the ‘Baz Bar’ in St. Barth's.

KJ got her start touring the U.S., Canada and Europe during the ’80s as lead guitarist and vocalist for the all-female pop-rock band Fire, a tenure that she quips was her, “seven years in spandex.” After Fire ran its course, KJ became a financial analyst with the aim of bankrolling her dream to write and record her own music. She recorded her first Mother Cyclone Record in 1995, left her day job in 2003 and has produced a new project each year since.

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 2005, garnering awards including first place at The Mountain Stage New Song Contest (2005, for “Little Mary”) and the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest (2006, for “Private Angel”). She also took home the 2006 Independent Music Award for “Best Live Performance CD,” which honored the album Another Year Gone By.

It’s KJ Denhert’s phenomenal gift for live performance that has built her a loyal, worldwide fan base, and her concerts should not be missed. Now, with LUCKY 7, KJ’s winning ways shine on record as never before. Make your own luck and experience the magic of her Motéma Music debut.