Award-winning, NYC-based singer-songwriter-guitarist K.J. Denhert - known for her soulful fusion of jazz, R&B, rock and folk - is in the midst of her first-ever itinerary of west coast dates. KJ and her longtime band, the super-tight NY Unit, drew an enthusiastic reception at Yoshi's in San Francisco last week, and at Temple Bar in Santa Monica this week. At the latter date, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and contemporary blues icon Keb' Mo' were in attendance. Next up on Denhert's inaugural west coast jaunt is Sonoma County's renowned annual Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa on June 6-7 where she'll share the bill with artists including Damian Marley and Angelique Kidjo. On June 8, she'll appear at Northern California's Menlo Park Sunset Celebration before heading back east for NYC engagements.
In addition to U.S. dates this summer, the Grenadian-American Denhert will be an artist-in-residence at the world-famous Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy for a fifth consecutive year, July 11-20. She and the NY Unit - also featuring ace saxophonist Aaron Heick - will play two shows daily, including a show opening for Alicia Keys on Saturday, July 19.
Denhert's live performances showcase her earthy, vibrant personality as much as her genre-transcending music. Those qualities shine on her new album LUCKY 7, her Motema Music debut. An enhanced 12-song CD also featuring videos, the disc is in association with KJ's Mother Cyclone Records imprint. KJ produced the album, her seventh, with NY Unit keyboardist Bennett Paster co-producing several tracks. Highlights include the title track, “He's Not Coming Home, “ and the album's one cover, an intimate take on “Over The Rainbow" that's a fan favorite.
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