Biography

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The vocals of Denise Jordan Finley show expression coming from a full life of observation, compassion, sorrow and joy... Her guitar work emerges as uncommonly intricate, harmonically compelling, and rhythmically powerful. Denise has performed her original songs since she was first honored in ’Super Teen,’ a national music awards contest for emerging young artists. She has played with and composed for such bands as The Young Pretenders; Dick Staber and The Yonder City Bluegrass Band; and Rio Jazz. She has appeared with Bill Keith, Tony Trishka and Skyline, Aztec Two Step, Priscilla Herdman, Sally Rogers, Howie Burson, Steve Gillette, Bob Franke, Kenny Edwards, Tom Kimmel, Pat Donehue, Sloan Wainright, Penny Nichols, Ann Hills, Michael Smith; and has been accompanied by some of the best bassists in the world: Freebo, Mark Egan, Dick Kniss, Roger Mason, and most recently, Daniel Pagdon.

Contra Bass Guitarist, Daniel Pagdon, discovered his instrument at the age of 11, and hasn’t put it down since, making a lifetime career of playing with Rich Hozza, Todd Wolfe, Paul Carbonara, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Ehinger, Mike Lattrel, and Hiro Suzuki, Frank Giasullo (professor of Jazz Studies at Princeton,) Bob Sanders of ’Stormcrow’, Taff Freeman from Nektar, Peter Karp and the Roadshow, Mike Agronoff, and Mick Taylor to name some!

Both are self-taught in their craft. Between them they have over three decades of playing music for live audiences in concert halls, small venues, and festivals. Between them, they have appeared on AM, FM, Public, and Internet Radio. Between them, they have appeared on local and national television. They have covered coast to coast United States, Europe, and the high seas.

Finley has received song writing Honors from The New Jersey Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase, and numerous times from The Great American Songwriting Contest, and The Plowshares Songwriting Competition. In 2007 her songs won an unprecedented three catagory sweep in The Walnut Valley Folk Festival.

	New Folk Winner New Jersey Folk Festival, 2004
	’How Fair Is My Baby’ Winner Great American Song Contest 2007 High Honors:’How Fair Is My Baby’ Great American Songwriting Contest, 2006 Honors: ’Little Secrets’ Great American Songwriting Contest, 2005
	Winner: ’How Fair Is My Baby Walnut Valley Festival, 2007 Winner: ’Special Overalls Walnut Valley Folk Festival, 2007 Alternate: ’Talk To Me Walnut Valley Folk Festival, 2007
	Recognized Finalist Plowshares Songwriting Competition, 2008 Showcase Finalist Plowshares Songwriting Competition, 2008
	Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist 2004