Jeff Denson
Dann Zinn & Rachel Z "Two Roads" CD Release Concert
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero W
Oakland, CA 94607
Mar 19, 2025
8:00 PM PDT
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About this concert
Dann Zinn is a renowned saxophonist and composer showcasing his signature blend of ECM, American jazz, and East Bay funk. Join us for an evening of original jazz with pianist Rachel Z, bassist Jeff Denson, and drummer Deszon Claiborne playing music from Dann’s new critically acclaimed album "Two Roads."
“Dann Zinn is a game changer, who is taking jazz in new directions.” As a world-class saxophonist/flutist, Zinn is renowned for being a passionate soloist and composer/arranger. Hailed over the years as “inventive,” “distinctive,” and for “creating a stunning and emotional listening experience,” Zinn has developed a unique style distinguishing him as a one of a kind artist with a tone unlike any other horn player on the jazz scene today.
Zinn’s resume includes working and recording with Omar Hakim, Rachel Z, Peter Erskine, Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Taylor Eigsti, Terri Lynn Carrington, Allison Miller, Derrick Hodge, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Cuong Vu, David Weiss, Dave Eshelman, Chuck Findley, Mary Wells, Martha and the Vandellas, and Barry Finnerty, among many others. Two Roads is Zinn’s sixth cd, released on Ridgeway Records.
Pianist Rachel Z is best known for collaborations with Wayne Shorter, Steps Ahead, and Peter Gabriel. She is currently touring worldwide with her critically acclaimed trio featuring drummer Omar Hakim. Her most recent recording Sensual has topped the jazz charts for months.
Bassist Jeff Denson, formally of the Lee Konitz band, is a world renowned bassist and vocalist, and Deszon Clairborne is one of the great bay area drummers.
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Celebrating over 50 years in the Bay Area!
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Jeff Denson Biography
JEFF DENSON
Bassist - Vocalist - Composer - Educator
Jeff Denson has balanced a full career as both an acclaimed performing musician and a highly respected educator. Currently leading or co-leading four distinct ensembles, Jeff has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with both his own groups, worked with some of jazz’s finest artists such as Brian Blade, Jane Ira Bloom, Dave Douglas, Charles McPherson, Cuong Vu, Joe Lovano, Ralph Alessi, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Vadim Neselovskyi, Warren Wolf, Florian Weber, Dan Weiss, Paul Hanson and had an ongoing relationship with the legendary Lee Konitz since 2007.
Jeff’s most recent album, “Outside My Window,” is a feature for Jeff’s “elastic vocals” (Jazz Times Magazine) where he has composed four original pieces and arranged four pieces by inspiring vocalists in an array of genres: Jeff Buckley, Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell and Abbey Lincoln.
Jeff is a Zon Bass and Aguilar Amplification endorsing artist and a full professor and Head of the Bass Department at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California.
Press Quotes:
“Master of the jazz bass."
— Lee Hilldebrand, San Francisco Chronicle
"The penetrating power of Jeff's voice is outstanding." — Kayo Fushiya, JazzTokyo, Japan
"Jeff astonishes as an emphatic singer of immense vocal talent.”
— Alexander Schmitz, Jazz Podium, Germany
"Double bassist Jeff Denson capitalizes on his considerable gifts as an improviser, interpreter and sonic trailblazer..."
— Ken Micaleff , Downbeat Magazine
"Denson is breaking new musical ground, proving that he should be counted as one of the leading bassists of contemporary jazz."
— Teddy Doering, Jazz Podium, Germany
"I have known Jeff Denson for several years now, and had the great pleasure to perform and record with him throughout Europe, the USA and Canada as a member of my quartet. Jeff is an exceptional musician who is a creative force on the double bass and has an original approach and voice on the instrument. He brings a fantastic sense of composition to his improvisations that allow him to transcend the role of the bass and make many unexpected choices. From his hard driving quarter note swing, to cello-like bowed melodies and interactive counterpoint, he is always surprising and inspiring! Jeff is also an outstanding composer who has written music for jazz and classical ensembles. He is always thinking outside the box and bringing his musicality and lyricism to all of his work."
— Lee Konitz
"Jeff is a bassist who digs deeply into the philosophical principles that define what jazz is and can be. In addition to being a very thorough student of the history of his instrument, he is an accomplished composer, teacher, and arranger.”
— Marcus Roberts
Read MoreBassist - Vocalist - Composer - Educator
Jeff Denson has balanced a full career as both an acclaimed performing musician and a highly respected educator. Currently leading or co-leading four distinct ensembles, Jeff has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with both his own groups, worked with some of jazz’s finest artists such as Brian Blade, Jane Ira Bloom, Dave Douglas, Charles McPherson, Cuong Vu, Joe Lovano, Ralph Alessi, Walter Smith III, Dayna Stephens, Vadim Neselovskyi, Warren Wolf, Florian Weber, Dan Weiss, Paul Hanson and had an ongoing relationship with the legendary Lee Konitz since 2007.
Jeff’s most recent album, “Outside My Window,” is a feature for Jeff’s “elastic vocals” (Jazz Times Magazine) where he has composed four original pieces and arranged four pieces by inspiring vocalists in an array of genres: Jeff Buckley, Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell and Abbey Lincoln.
Jeff is a Zon Bass and Aguilar Amplification endorsing artist and a full professor and Head of the Bass Department at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California.
Press Quotes:
“Master of the jazz bass."
— Lee Hilldebrand, San Francisco Chronicle
"The penetrating power of Jeff's voice is outstanding." — Kayo Fushiya, JazzTokyo, Japan
"Jeff astonishes as an emphatic singer of immense vocal talent.”
— Alexander Schmitz, Jazz Podium, Germany
"Double bassist Jeff Denson capitalizes on his considerable gifts as an improviser, interpreter and sonic trailblazer..."
— Ken Micaleff , Downbeat Magazine
"Denson is breaking new musical ground, proving that he should be counted as one of the leading bassists of contemporary jazz."
— Teddy Doering, Jazz Podium, Germany
"I have known Jeff Denson for several years now, and had the great pleasure to perform and record with him throughout Europe, the USA and Canada as a member of my quartet. Jeff is an exceptional musician who is a creative force on the double bass and has an original approach and voice on the instrument. He brings a fantastic sense of composition to his improvisations that allow him to transcend the role of the bass and make many unexpected choices. From his hard driving quarter note swing, to cello-like bowed melodies and interactive counterpoint, he is always surprising and inspiring! Jeff is also an outstanding composer who has written music for jazz and classical ensembles. He is always thinking outside the box and bringing his musicality and lyricism to all of his work."
— Lee Konitz
"Jeff is a bassist who digs deeply into the philosophical principles that define what jazz is and can be. In addition to being a very thorough student of the history of his instrument, he is an accomplished composer, teacher, and arranger.”
— Marcus Roberts
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