Donna Deussen: Press

“Favorite Cuts are: #5, 6, 7, 8, and 11; and Yes! We will be playing your CD at our station!“

“Two Thumbs WAYYY Up! This is easily one of the most enjoyable CD's I've heard all year...I hear a lot and don't get the urge to write about many, but I just have to spread the word on this one. Donna gets it ALL exactly right; her pitch, rhythm, and most importantly her feel for these songs is right on target as she sings in a variety of styles. Her voice is always pleasing, and she gets vocally creative without wandering into diva territory. Her backing trio is powerfully subtle, lending support and flexing their own muscles while staying true to the composition. Great production (also by Ms. Deussen) makes a perfect blending of all the elements. Highlights? Every track! I'll be spinning this one a LOT, and recommend it very highly.”

"...a talented singer with an attractive voice... [Donna] excels on such material as Chick Corea’s “High Wire”
and Joni Mitchell’s “River,” singing lyrics with
sensitivity and honest feeling... High Wire
will be enjoyed by fans of warm jazz-inspired vocals."

"First, thanks for that wonderful treat in your presentation at CD Baby. Your diction and intonation told me you are a magnificent story teller in song. I understood every word, I heard every note. Both were beautifully conveyed and I loved it all!!!! Mostly, I loved the way you served us the old vintage wine in the new bottles. I speak of, "Nature Boy" and "Old Devill Moon". Both bottles were slammin', lady!!!! I couldn't get enough of it. Thanks again!!!!!"

"... sings with passion and sensuality..."

"I regularly read obituaries on the demise of the American song canon. So why is it that so many of best and smartest younger singers -- the real virtuosos who actually can sing -- keep doing them? Without getting nostalgic or academic about it, Donna Deussen nails a dozen ASCAP beauties on her High Wire CD with the cool assurance of a singer who also happens to be both a musician and actress, not necessarily in that order but each of the very first order. That gives her a lot of resources to play with, especially when tackling an off-beat item like “Nature Boy” at about 80 beats a minute. A bright voice under the control of an agile musicianship and wise good taste."

"High Wire is a debut recording by an artist that’s got a lot of vocal spunk. Surrounding herself with an air-tight rhythm section of Mark Massey (piano), Aldo Bentivegna (drums) and Anders Swanson (bass), Donna Deussen confirms audibly that she is a sweet-toned delight that has an articulated and well timed delivery. And she uses her incredible skills to put an extra pizzazz into a varied collection of jazz standards. Deussen gracefully gallops along at Chick Corea’s frenetically paced “High Wire” and keeps her collective cool without breaking into a sweat. Supported by Bentivegna’s sublime brushwork, she gets laid way back on “Skylark”, as well as sounding vulnerable and fragile on the wispy “With Every Breath I Take” with keyboardist Massey. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal joins the party for some excellent work on a couple of selections. Marienthal’s work along with Deussen’s sassy and gutsy take on “Blues in the Night” is dripping with sweat, and he’s off to the races along with Deussen’s percussive enunciation on “One Note Samba.” She’s got lots of energy all throughout High Wire. Deussen’s a California native, who recently moved to Arizona. Let’s work to bring her back for some gigs!"