Vocalist Denise Pelley has performed with many great artists including acclaimed trombonist Ray Anderson, gospel and blues legend Jackie Richardson and Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook. In 2003, she opened for the late Aretha Franklin at the John Labatt Centre, now Budweiser Gardens, London. She has also performed with symphony orchestras in Canada, the US and Europe, and has been featured at jazz festivals in Ottawa, Toronto and Waterloo, and at London’s Sunfest and Bluesfest.
Denise also enjoys acting. She had roles in Grand Theatre productions of Ain’t Misbehavin’, Wang Dang Doodle and A Streetcar Named Desire. Jazzabel, her 2004 one-woman show at the Grand’s McManus Theatre, sold out night after night. In 2005, she performed Jazzabel in Washington, DC, at the National Museum for Women in the Arts, and in New York City at Urban Stages Theater. In 2006, she was featured in an article in O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine. Recording credits include seven CDs.
Over the years, Denise has won many awards. She was named London Music Awards’ Best Jazz Artist of the Year six times and Jack Richardson Jazz Artist of the Year twice.
In 2009 she was honoured with a Black Community Achievement Award, and in 2015 was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame. Her most recent award: a Conservatory Canada Honorary Licentiate in Music.
Denise lends her musical talents to many organizations. She is a volunteer with Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan and has made twelve trips to Gordhim, South Sudan, where she helped deliver an arts and music camp to over 400 children. She is also on the board of Educate the Children which is building a school in Nigeria.