Austin, TX (Top40 Charts/ DA Productions) A superior ballad and standards singer, Dena Taylor is releasing her latest recording, The Nearness Of You, on Valentine's Day ( https://www.denataylormusic.com ). A set comprised of ten classic standards, the performances feature the appealing singer uplifting the timeless material while accompanied by some of Texas' finest jazz musicians.
Dena Taylor puts plenty of emotion and understanding into her interpretations of lyrics and one can certainly imagine the composers of the songs that she interprets loving her. She lets the words speak for themselves while adding understated feeling and a solid sense of swing.
With excellent accompaniment and meaningful solos by such players as guitarists Grammy winner Redd Volkaert and Rick McRae and pianist
David Chao, Dena Taylor is heard at her best throughout The Nearness Of You. The program includes such pieces as "When October Comes," Duke Ellington's "Solitude," a haunting rendition of "But Beautiful," "Besame Mucho" and a particularly memorable version of "The Nearness Of You." The second half of the set includes Ellington's "Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me," "If I Love Again," a touching "For All We Know," a bossa-nova flavored "The Look Of Love, and "The Very Thought Of You."
Taylor's road to success has been hard-won, even inspirational. Taylor spent twelve years abroad in the military, combining her years of service with a series of low-profile concert and event gigs. She also accepted invitations to sing with touring USO shows whenever it was compatible with her military schedule.
Upon leaving the military, Taylor found herself in a violent car accident that left her with a severe brain injury requiring a full two years to regain her ability to speak and walk again. And, since that time, she has also waged her own personal battle against breast cancer.
While in Florida she became an important part of the music scene. She also recorded her award-winning CD,
Round Midnight. In 2009, Dena Taylor relocated to Austin,
Texas where she recorded her second award winning CD, Certitude. And released Hymns For Hunger (a collection of three hymns that benefit Feeding America's Give A Meal) and It's Christmas (a set of holiday songs that benefit The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund).
The release of The Nearness Of You, Dena Taylor's finest recording to date, will solidify her reputation as a wonderful ballad singer.
For more information on Dena Taylor and The Nearness Of You, please visit: https://www.denataylormusic.com
