BIO

Darynn Dean

Darynn Dean is a dynamic vocalist, captivating performer, and composer. Born and raised in Los Angeles Ca., she is no stranger to jazz. Her rich musical legacy originates with her Grandfather Donald Dean Senior (drummer), who toured with Les McCann, and spans generationally down to her father Donald Dean (drummer) and cousin Jamael Dean (pianist).

Mentored by world- renowned jazz and blues singer Barbara Morrison and NEA Jazz Master and Grammy Award Winner, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Darynn is learning from the best. She is a recent graduate of The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA and earned her Masters of Music. There she studied with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Billy Childs and many more jazz legends.

Darynn’s unique voice and timeless style has garnered the attention of audiences across the country. Her most notable performances include singing at the The Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, and Jordan Hall in Boston MA. Some of Darynn’s past awards and honors include being the 2015 National Young Arts Gold Medalist, NAACP ACT-SO’s National Gold Medalist, The 2015 Music Center Spotlight Awards Grand Prize Finalist, 2019 participant in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead Residency at the Kennedy Center, and a 2019 fellow of Dee Dee Bridgewater’s The Woodshed Network.

Darynn has sung alongside Hubert Laws, Poncho Sanchez, Dave Koz, Clayton Cameron, Les McCann, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Delfayo Marsalis, Barbara Morrison, Dave Holland, and John Clayton. Her love for the stage vitalizes her passion for justice and equality.

In 2019, she created a documentary entitled, “All About Love: Jazz + Gender”, which chronicled her creation of the first ever All-Women’s Cross Big Band between New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music. In the film she interviews prominent artists like Jason Moran (pianist) and Terri Lyne Carrington (drummer) dynamically exploring gender justice, equity, and love within the jazz community.

Excited to be alive in this very important time, Darynn strives to be the best and express herself both musically and socially. In her own words, “Right now, more than ever, we need music, love, and connection.” Taking a stand on off stage she is enthused to reach all of her wildest dreams and become one of this generation’s musical greats.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Kennedy Center in Washington D.C

Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles

Jordan Hall in Boston Massachusetts

Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles

The Lighthouse Jazz Club in Hermosa Beach California

Central Avenue Jazz Festival in Los Angeles California

Gardena Jazz Festival in Gardena California

New World Performing Arts Center in Miami Florida

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

National

2015 Young Arts Foundation National Gold Medal Level Finalist in the Jazz Voice.

2015 member of the All-Star GRAMMYâ Foundation Jazz Vocal Ensemble.

2014 member of the All-Star GRAMMYâ Foundation Jazz Vocal Ensemble.

2015 National NAACP ACT-SO competition Gold Medal winner.

2013 National NAACP ACT-SO competition Gold Medal winner, 

Local

2015 Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards Grand Prize Finalist.

2014 Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award Semi-Finalist.

2013 Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award Semi-Finalist.

2013-2019 Dolo Coker Jazz Scholarship Foundation 1st place vocal winner.

2012 Dolo Coker Jazz Scholarship Foundation 4th place vocal winner.

2014 Zeta Rho Foundation Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Talent Hunt Local 2nd Place Winner.