Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with IMAAI.
Tell us about your music.
I love my life adventure called music. My mother and father introduced me to the world of jazz and it just stuck. Performing my husbands original songs and doing cover songs brings my music to a level of professionalism and down right fun. I produce the Joyful Journey Music Festival now and one thing is for sure. You will have fun!!
When did you start performing?
I started piano lessons at age 8 and quickly started singing to elementary class for a quick minute. My twin sister, Dawn and I won our first talent show at age 10 “Community Gong Show” I also sang at my high school graduation. After graduating from The New York Academy of Theatrical Arts with some formal training at Juilliard I began performing with my husband in cabaret shows through out New York City.
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
My home town and where I spent most of my married life to compare/pianist Roy Singer is the beautiful Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. Roy and I are now married 26 years the summer and we are still performing together in the lovely state of Florida.
What performers have been your inspiration?
Because I am by trade a professional jazz singer, my performers I admire and have the most inspiration is Dinah Washington and Nancy Wilson and Sammy Davis Jr. Being the music minister at my church for 17 years I love to draw on the talent of BeBe and CeCe Winan and Alvin Slaughter. I performed with Alvin Slaughter for two years in dynamic concerts of joy, hope and love.
What do you base your success on?
As an accomplished and talented singer, I have traveled
the world as an international recording artist. My concert appearances include France, Switzerland, Ireland
and Italy. She has performed on the revered stages of Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. This summer I will be in the UK, singing in London, Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon. I love performing in intimate small clubs, major festivals, or sporting events (such as singing the national anthem at a Miami Dolphins game). My backup ranges from just piano or guitar, or combo, to the 80-piece Gold Coast Concert Band.
What was your latest musical release?
My husbands, composer Roy Singer works with lyricist Mitchell Usher. They wrote a song titled Take God’s Hand, which was a jazz song with did that I felt leant itself to gospel, so we changed a few of the words and boomlet stayed #1 for 9 weeks on the Roots Music Gospel Charts, now they have followed it up my 3rd Contemporary Christian song with our newest single, Go And Seek The Light, which was released March 1, 2023.
Do you have any news to share?
Yes! My 8th jazz cd with bassist Ranses Colon is finished and in final production for a fall release with originals and covers it’s sure to be fun.
How can fans find you?
www.donna-singer.com
www.facebook.com
My big band, The Diamond Jazz Orchestra is doing a tribute to Count Basie, June 17th at the Spady Museum
This summer I will be in the UK, singing in London, Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon.
I will also be in New York performing August 4-6
Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
I love music. It’s. been a part of my life since forever. I hope you enjoy Go and Seek The Light!! My 3rd Gospel Single!!