Fun, Be-Bop Swing, Jazz Twists and a Clash of Scat

The passion for the original composition as well as the gems of classic jazz repertoire including Cole Porter, Gershwin, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Bud Powell and John Coltrane. La Grassa presents a distinctive soulful collection of song. Backed by Chicago ’s finest jazz musicians, Denise charms her audience with a powerful, engaging presence and sound.

This year La Grassa again appeared at the world famous New York music
venue the Knitting Factory singing her original music. While in New York , she also
appeared with a trio at another popular jazz venue FEZ , where she performed
jazz originals and be-bop.

Denise La Grassa opened in 1999 with a brand new one-woman jazz-theatre show entitled “Is There Anything Going On Upstairs?” at the Guild Complex-Musicality of Poetry Festival VIII at Chopin Theater in Chicago . The musical piece was featured in the Chicago Tribune by critics Justin Hayfork and Rick Kogan. Kogan called LaGrassa “a gifted singer and actress.” The show had an extended run at Elbo room, American Theatre Company and

Centre Theatre. Television interviews for “Is There Anything Going on Upstairs?” included 
ABC-TV, CLTV, as well as “ART BEAT” on WTTW Channel 11. The musical
performance made its New York Debut in October of 1999. Upstairs is currently under “Mixed Film Media” reconstruction
– stay tuned.

• The Green Mill
• Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe
• Pop’s for Champagne
• Green Dolphin Street
• Hothouse
• The Whitehall Hotel
• Sutton Place Hotel
• The Moulin Rouge at The Fairmont Hotel
• The Pump Room
• The Palmer House
• Andy’s
• The Drake Hotel
• Cite
 
Denise received critical acclaim for her one-woman musical/theatrical
performance ”BITE” from audiences in Chicago , New York , Germany and Scotland .
While in Edinburgh during the Theater Festival, she won a chance opportunity to appear on the BBC live concert music show “the Usual Suspects.”

 Singing Jazz & Performing in Chicago

Chicago Tribune says

“La Grassa’s performance and jazz compositions are filled with a great deal of talent, originality and panache.”

Chicago Reader says

“There’s something thrilling about her monologues, scenes and songs, and the girl can sing.”