Danielle Wertz

"​Unlike many of her contemporaries there is truth in her voice [...] not prattled with theatrics or acrobatics."​ -Jazz Music Archives Danielle Wertz is an award-winning artist on the rise, making a name for herself as a vocalist, composer and arranger. The Oakland-based artist weaves together elements of straight-ahead and modern jazz, folk and the use of her voice as an instrumental texture to create an intimate and personal musical world. Described as, "untarnished by the politics of music" (Jazz Music Archives) and "at home alongside more contemporary exponents of improvised singing" (LoudMouth, AU) Danielle has rapidly gained national acclaim. After being named a 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition semi-finalist, Danielle released her debut album, Intertwined. This collaboration with Tal Cohen was ranked #4 on Capital Bop's list of "Best DC Jazz Albums of 2017" and has continued to receive high praise since its release. That same year Danielle placed 2nd in the inaugural Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition and 3rd in the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Vocal Competition. In addition to her solo career, Danielle is an avid collaborator. She has recently been featured on recording projects alongside Javier Santiago, Aaron Janik, Justin Rock, Ambrose Akinmusire, J. Hoard, Elena Pinderhughes and Braxton Cook. Danielle has performed in a professional, non-academic setting with Kate McGarry, Cyrille Aimée, Keith Ganz, Shelly Berg, Chris Botti and Joel Frahm.