At the age of 14, Denise was playing professionally in New York, and went on to major in piano and composition at the famous Berklee College of Music where she graduated with a degree.
In the 1990s she came under the wing of legendary pianist Ellis Larkins, ( pianist for Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams as well as many other great artists) whose richly sophisticated harmonies became a trademark of her compositional style. She sang with him and many of the world's finest pianists in NYC, performing at clubs such as 'The Village Vanguard', 'The Bitter End' and 'The Carnegie Tavern'. She also studied harmony with renowned tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi, who is featured on her 3rd, CD 'Naked Truth'.
Although a native of New York, Denise lived in New Orleans for five years, becoming a favourite-featured artist at the city’s premier jazz club ‘Snug Harbor’ where she recorded 4 of her CDs. She lived in Paris for 7 years and is now currently living in the UK.. She has been a featured artist in many world-renowned jazz venues, across the USA, Paris, Australia, London’s Pizza Express and the Round House, London. Denise has performed with many great jazz legends including, Peter Martin, Ellis Larkins, Garry Dial, Tim Green (Sax), Chris Severin, Bill Huntington, Mark Soskin, Jay Anderson, Jimmy McNeally, Harold Danko, Gary Costello, Paul Grabowsky, Johnny Vidacovich, James Singleton, Tony DaGradi, Brian Seeger, Dave Easley, Jeff Boudreaux, Jerome Barde, Jerry Bergonzi, Michel Benita, Steve Masakowski as well as many others. Denise will be performing work from her previous albums including “Brown Book”.“An album that is perfectly conceived and executed from start to finish, an outstanding album of beautiful and uniquely original songs that work superbly for jazz ensemble and strings.” Jazz Times