Denise Donatelli
What Lies Within
Savant Records
By George W. Harris

Vocalist Denise Donatelli surprised the jazz world with an impressive
debut a little over a year ago. Supported by the best of LA cats, "In
The Company Of Friends" debuted her crystal clear voice delivering
pristine takes of jazz standards. Her follow-up release, "What Lies
Within", shows that she's learned a few things by singing around the LA
scene. Still including some of the best guys in town, Donatelli p ushes
her horizons by choosing a variety of challenging and assertive tunes.
The arrangements by pianist Geoffrey Keezer keep the harmonies
interesting and complex, while the rhythms . Donatelli is up to the
challenge; she penetrates the cello and organ of Keezer's moody "Four
Walls" with chilling effectiveness. Likewise, her voice is pitch perfect
and wide ranging on Chick Corea's shadowy "Crystal Silence" and Ivan
Lins' thought provoking "Sails." She's still able to deliver the
swinging goods, and sails through "My Shining Hour" and Clifford
Brown's "Daahoud" with silky ease. This lady has matured a lot in one
simple recording. Catch her when she comes to a local venue, before
it's too late.