“An impressive new voice on the jazz scene” – Joseph Lang, Jersey Jazz
Jazz vocalist Danielle Reich doesn’t consider herself in an exclusive relationship with the genre. She starts with a foundation of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, then draws freely from an eclectic array of French chanson (a la Edith Piaf), the gypsy jazz repertoire (a la Django Reinhardt), and jazz-interpreted pop selections ranging from Leonard Cohen to Radiohead to The Cars.
“A musical approach as perfectly balanced and graceful as her classically-informed and jazz-honed mezzo voice” – C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz
After completing an opera degree in Florida, Danielle began singing professionally in Texas with the Houston Grand Opera chorus, while exploring jazz under the tutelage of Houston pianist, composer, and educator Joe Locascio. Ten years later, Danielle was hosting a standing-room-only jazz jam in the Heights of Houston, founded with Houston guitarist Erin Wright and bassist Thomas Helton.
“Rejuvenates the sensual grooves of nocturnal blues and the caressive strokes of cabaret swing” – Susan Frances, Yahoo Network
From orchestras to a first time out at an intimate jazz jam, Danielle has enjoyed the support of many outstanding musicians as she has developed her organic interpretive style, expanded her repertoire, and engaged in an array of small groups that blur musical boundaries.
“Pure aural pleasure” – Dick Metcalf, Zzaj Productions
Danielle’s performing passions encompass genres from classical to jazz to the avant-garde. After beginning her performance career in classical productions at The University of Florida and Stetson University, Danielle moved to Houston where she premiered new works by Juilliard-trained trumpeter and composer Carol Morgan and composer, pianist and educator Joe Locascio. She was featured in Houston and New York venues with avant-garde composer/bassist Thomas Helton, a Houston Arts Alliance grant recipient, as well as performing experimental works for musicians and dancers with the Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble.
Danielle currently resides in Austin, TX, and performs in Austin, Houston, and surrounding areas. Her current projects include:
The Danielle Reich Trio (or duo, quartet, quintet, sextet) presents Great American Songbook standards and more by some of the finest jazz musicians in Houston and Austin, Texas. Their broad repertoire encompasses swing, ballad, and bossa nova selections popularized by performers such as Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as jazzed pop tunes, French chanson, Western Swing, and jazz manouche. The Danielle Reich Trio draws from the musical talents of Austin- and Houston-based musicians Bruce Saunders, Russell Scanlon, Mitch Watkins, Josh Breier, Ray Wilson, Paul Glasse, Peggy Stern, Andrew Lienhard, Thomas Helton, Evan Arredondo, Pat Harris, Daniel Durham, and Steve Schwelling, to name a few.
Swing Rendezvous performs gypsy jazz repertoire in the jazz manouche style, popularized by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in the original Quintette du Hot Club de France! The music: swinging tunes from the 1920s and 30s that make your feet move. The band: a traditional gypsy jazz configuration of violin, two guitars, and bass, with vocals by Danielle. This Austin-Houston collaboration includes Mark Seale, violin, Morris Moon & Michael Viteri, guitars, and bassist Thomas Helton.
Lady Be Good is a Western Swing-meets-Jazz collaboration with Danielle and pianist/composer Peggy Stern, with Mark Seale on fiddle. It swings! We’re performing some of the great Western Swing tunes from the Bob Wills tradition as a trio, quartet, quintet, or sextet, plus Peggy Stern’s originals and Great American Songbook standards, dancing between the sounds of Western Swing & jazz.
The Gratuitously Hip performing (mostly) swing tunes with brilliant jazz mandolinist Paul Glasse, bassist Evan Arredondo, and drummer Steve Schwelling.
Danielle is also a vocalist with the J’aiBeaux Jazz Quintet (Cedar Park), Lone Star Swing Syndicate Big Band (Austin area), and has been a guest vocalist with Boomtown Brass Band (Houston).
“An album full of swinging music and diverse influences” – Wilbert Sostre, Jazz Times