Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Patricia Dean was born in Tampa, Florida on July 29th and went through her banging on pots and pans stage listening to drummer/singer Karen Carpenter’s records until she got a drum set and began studying privately and really playing, at the age of 11.  Growing up she was literally and figuratively surrounded by music while growing up, her father a recorded clarinetist and alto saxophonist and musicians were always around. She played her first professional job with her father and brother when she was fourteen.

One of the few artists in the history of jazz who play drums and sing, Dean does both at an exceptional level. As a drummer, she’s an inspiring and supremely tasteful time-keeper, accompanist, and soloist and as a vocalist, she swings with sensitivity and is a heartfelt ballad singer and evocative interpreter of Brazilian melodies.

Patricia cites Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn, Nancy Wilson, and Julie London as among her singing influences. Careful listeners may hear some overtones of Dinah Washington who, of course, greatly influenced Nancy Wilson and Betty Roche.  Her drumming influences in addition to Carpenter are Ed Thigpen, Jack DeJohnette, Tony Williams, and Sonny Payne.

Through the years, she has worked with a number of jazz legends, including Nat Adderley, Ira Sullivan, Whitey Mitchell, Bobby Militello, and the late John LaPorta. Drummer Patricia Dean continues to perform and record.

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