Daneen Wilburn has been taking fans on a musical journey of emotion and passion since she was a child. Her style transitions from soul to gospel, jazz and ballads effortlessly. "She is an engaging performer and a true talent. If you ever have a chance to see her perform, do it." These are the words of Grammy Winner Clarence McDonald, producer of Nancy Wilson’s Music on My Mind album, and Bill Withers’ "Lovely Day."
This is why her fans have been eagerly awaiting her debut album, produced by two-time Grammy Winner, Kamau Kenyatta. Kamau is best known for his discovery of singer Gregory Porter. His production of Gregory's four albums yielded four Grammy nominations and two wins. Kamau has also worked with Patti Austin, Earl Klugh, Ed Motta and Carl Anderson (Jesus Christ Superstar).
Daneen's self titled album was released in June to rave reviews. "This album is an arousing debut by one soulful singer" says Patrick Van De Weile, of Key and Chord Magazine in Belgium. Together with Kamau, Daneen carefully crafted a blend of soul, jazz and gospel. But, before any of this, she was just a San Diego girl with a dream.
Daneen’s parents were both gospel singers and made music an important part of her life. By age seven, she was the lead singer of the family band and by age nineteen, she found herself singing at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, with some of gospel music’s top names, including, Edwin Hawkins, Darryl Coley, and Ricky Grundy. After a few years, she married and started a family, deciding to leave the music industry to be a full-time mother. Her dream would be put on hold, but not forgotten. Throughout the years, she loved her role as a mother and looked forward to the day when her voice would be heard again.
Daneen returned to music twenty years later, quickly becoming one of San Diego’s most sought after vocalists. She had the honor of performing for former First Lady Laura Bush, and when US Women’s soccer star, Alex Morgan wed Servando Carrasco, Daneen sang as she made her way down the aisle.
In 2013, MLB’s San Diego Padres asked Daneen to sing for the memorial service of baseball legend Tony Gwynn. Before 25,000 fans at Petco Park and a national television audience, she performed a version of "Amazing Grace" that silenced the spellbound crowd.
Daneen's new album is a reflection of her life surrounded by singers and musicians. It includes a remake of a gospel quartet song recorded by her uncles in the early nineteen seventies, entitled, "I'll Be Free." Radio personality, Fred Carter of KPVU Radio in Washington DC, describes her performance as "bold, honest, and inspirational." Daneen's personal motto is "a song should be both heard and felt."
