"DeAnna Weeden is such an incredible talent. The respect and power that her voice gives to Jazz standards is nothing short of amazing!" -Warren Bonner
“DeAnna Weeden is an upcoming, very bright star on the metro-Detroit Jazz scene. She sings with the confidence of someone much older and more seasoned; her pitch is impeccable—she is not afraid to take intervallic risks…..it is often difficult to imagine that huge, rich resonance coming from her petite frame. She is equally comfortable in front of a big jazz orchestra or a jazz trio. She is definitely someone to watch out for on the local, national and international jazz scene." -Benjamin Pruitt, Sr., Director of Fine Arts, Detroit Public Schools
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As one recites the names of todays upper echelon of local jazz vocalists, their list would not be complete without the mention of DeAnna Weeden. Although she is often compared to a young Sarah Vaughan, her goal is not to imitate Ms. Vaughan or other vocalists. She elected to follow a slightly different fork in the road. A path which is allowing her to become an entity in her own right. Although she listens to the voices of her predecessors with much admiration, it is their energy that she gathers and puts to use. DeAnna shares, “I have realized that my voice is a gift; an instrument I am using to bridge Jazz vocals from yesteryears, to the Jazz vocals of the future. The energy of my musical ancestors travels through me when I sing. It is part of what powers me.â€
DeAnna was born to sing. She was exposed to Jazz music as an infant. She began crawling to the music of The Modern Jazz Quartet, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan and others, whose sounds resonated throughout her home. DeAnna will forever be thankful to her father Marvin Fields for instilling his love of Jazz music within her. Now framed upon her wall, along with other treasures from her father’s jazz collection, is the Billie Holiday album, Lady In Satin, that her father gave her as a gift when she was nine years old. Her mother Virginia made sure that she participated in talent shows and other activities where she could share her voice with others. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she is the youngest of three children. Her two brothers are also musicians.
At age 11, DeAnna performed the theme from Mahogany, Do You Know Where You’re Going To? in the Little Miss Michigan Pageant. After receiving a standing ovation, she knew that the stage would become a place she would visit frequently. Throughout her childhood she continued to grace many stages in Detroit. At Benedictine High School, DeAnna sang in the Gospel Choir. To further her education, she enrolled at Clark Atlanta University. While earning her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education, her love of Jazz music continued when she joined the world renowned Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of James H. Patterson. She would remain their vocalist for three years.
DeAnna’s biggest highlight of her time with the Clark Atlanta Jazz Orchestra was their European Tour. Their stops included performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Euro Disneyland and The Montreux Jazz Festival. It was at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland that DeAnna received one of her biggest thrills. Quincy Jones appeared on the platform just in time to conduct DeAnna’s next song, Doodlin’. She still recalls the moment she glanced over at Quincy Jones and saw him smiling at her while conducting the orchestra. Other notable musicians that applauded her performance at the Montreux, include Stanley Clarke, Rachelle Ferrell, Ray Brown and Detroit's own; the late trombonist Melvin Wanzo.
DeAnna had the honor of engaging in a rare performance with the great vibraphonist, arranger and bandleader, Lionel Hampton, when the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra held An Evening of Jazz Under the Stars. Other exciting performances while with the orchestra included collaborations with alto saxophonist George Howard and famed drummer Panama Francis. DeAnna was a participant in the Thelonius Monk Jazz Vocals Competition and appears on the recording and video for the song “Everyday People†by the Grammy award winning group Arrested Development.
DeAnna’s most profound experience thus far, is the relationship she developed with Abbey Lincoln. DeAnna remarks, “Ms. Lincoln shares things with me about my voice and life in general that have nurtured my growth as a musician and also as a woman. Each time we converse, her multitude of knowledge reigns through in every word she speaks. I will be forever thankful for her presence in my life.â€
DeAnna is a vocalist with Ben’s Friends Jazz Orchestra. The Detroit based orchestra is directed by Benjamin Pruitt, Sr. Mr. Pruitt has this to say of his vocalist, “DeAnna Weeden is an upcoming, very bright star on the metro-Detroit Jazz scene. She sings with the confidence of someone much older and more seasoned; her pitch is impeccable—she is not afraid to take intervallic risks…..it is often difficult to imagine that huge, rich resonance coming from her petite frame. She is equally comfortable in front of a big jazz orchestra or a jazz trio. She is definitely someone to watch out for on the local, national and international jazz scene. Treat yourself: check her out at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge or at the SereNgeti Gallery.†Her appearances with the orchestra include The Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, The Detroit Festival of the Arts and The Birmingham Jazz Festival. They also appear once a month at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and The SereNgeti Gallery.
DeAnna’s combination of incomparable phrasing, three and a half octave range, and the ability to capture her listeners into her world when she sings, create quite a unique vocal presentation. DeAnna’s gracious attitude is obvious as she interacts with her listeners and her band. DeAnna’s future is very promising. Each month she is making more and more waves the local Jazz scene. Be sure to bring your appetite for vintage Jazz to DeAnna’s next performance. You will surely get your fill!..