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May 10, 2010
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Summertime, summertime. Take a drive. Do
what you feel. Or so is the advice of one popular
songster of years past. Yes, good old summertime
when the livin’ is easy – and so is this recoding by
Peggy Duquesnel and company........(more)
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May 7, 2010
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Peggy Duquesnel
is the owner of a finely textured voice and it is demonstrated fully in
"Days Of Wine And Roses" It starts out as a ballad and then jumps into high gear and swings like magic.
Duquesnel gives this tune new life as her interpretation sails along like a drifting cloud wafting smoothly
in a most soothing manner. Her piano solo makes ones foot tap and brings a smile as she gets
it all in a way that is true to her musical artistry.....(more)
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April 21, 2010
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.....Her excellent quartet members were: Mike Higgins (guitar), Jim DeJulio (bass) and Kendall Kay (drums), who appear on the
new CD as well. This CD is a joy to listen to, and many of the CD’s songs were performed this night at the release party. One
of Duquesnel’s neat compositions, “Trottin,’ ” opened up the show. She and Higgins traded choruses throughout the piece,
while the rhythm of DeJulio and Kay supported the quartet nicely. Duquesnel’s “The Days of Wine and Roses” was magical, as
was her stylish version of the Jobim classic, “Dindi.” The CD’s title track, “Summertime Lullaby,” was a standout composition
for the night, receiving a lot of applause from the audience. Duquesnel knows how to reach her audience and her singing is
very appealing....
Get more information at www.peggyduquesnel.com
Written by Glenn A. Mitchell, LA Jazz Scene http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8977/118/
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GAPPLEGATE GUITAR and Bass Blog
March 25, 2010
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Vocalist Peggy Duquesnel has Taste and Artistry
Jazz vocalists can make me grumpy. I get sent a fair number of new releases by such artists,
and I must say it is the one category where the misses outweigh the hits by a good margin.
Sometimes I can tell within about 30 seconds whether or not this person has any business
getting behind a microphone; sometimes it takes a longer time. If they make it through the first
listen, I usually keep on going.
Ms. Peggy Duquesnel made it through the first listen and four more. That is, her Summertime
Lullaby album did, which will be out April 5th on Joyspring Music.....(more)
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FREEHOSTIA.COM
March 15, 2010
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Peggy Duquesnel - SUMMERTIME LULLABY: If Spring affects you like it does me, you'll welcome this April 2010 CD release
from jazz vocalist Peggy... sultry standards woven into her own unique performance style.
An AMAZON search shows that she is a Christian artist, too, and some of that optimistic attitude
(that I imagine she has) shines through on her jazz performances, to be sure.
An even dozen tracks, with favorites (of mine) like "In the Quiet Hours", "On Green Dolphin Street"
and Peggy's original "Drivin' Blues", which "made" the album for me... this one really moves, &
shows a true talent for getting the listener's attention... the guitar solo at 2:04 absolutely rocked my world!
Duquesnel's keyboards are right on time all the way through the album and clearly show her love of playing,
especially on another original, "Promised Land"... my only "complaint" (though not a serious one) is that
there were no deep-linked samples on AMAZON... that may simply be because the CD isn't due for release
until April, not sure. Ms. Duquesnel has put together a splendid CD that jazz listeners everywhere
will dig on year-round, not just Spring or Summer... I give it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an "EQ"
(energy quotient) rating of 4.94.
Get more information at www.peggyduquesnel.com Rotcod Zzaj
Review by Dick Metcalf aka Rotcod Zzaj http://zzaj.freehostia.com/index.htm
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THE MUSE'S MUSE
March 4, 2010
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Peggy Duquesnel Sings About Love On New CD Summertime Lullaby
March 2, 2010-New York, New York-Peggy Duquesnel isn't just the director of music at her church in Los
Angeles, she's also a successful jazz musician who's released seven albums. Her homey charm and
inspiration shines through on her newest release, Summertime Lullaby.
Duquesnel has been a guest with the Auckland Philharmonic, the Anaheim Angels baseball team, the
Mighty Ducks NHL team, the Roland Corporation, Disney, and Kawai America, as well as serving as the
adjunct professor of music at Concordia University....(more)
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Midwest Record
Feb. 23, 2010
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PEGGY DUQUESNEL/Summertime Lullaby: This easy going jazzy piano lady knows how to under play it well.
She’s been everywhere, played with everyone and has a first call round up of LA jazzbos on board here,
but she doesn’t hit you over the head with any of it coming across with a set of love songs and standards that
sounds like the fave piano bar that exists only in your mind. The chops are there, but this is more about
comfort zone than flash. Super tasty diversion that sounds like laid back sunny days.
Volume 33/Number 114
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
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CD Review: Amazon
February 10, 2010
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An Impressive new approach form Peggy Duquesnel
The gifted Peggy Duquesnel jumps into another category of music with SUMMERTIME LULLABY
and succeeds quite nicely, thank you! Most of those who know the work of this fine
singer and pianist are familiar with her religious music, but here she combines her
very excellent gifts as a pianist and as a vocal stylist to present her own arrangements
of jazz standards and love songs. And she does definitely have a knack for this genre.
Her voice is clear and pure and she is unafraid to divide her arrangements between extended
piano solos and the lyrics of the songs she has arranged: 'Fly me to the moon' is an excellent
example of tis double talent. The album includes such songs as 'Satin Doll', 'My Romance',
'In the Quiet Hours', 'Mack the Knife' - a total of 12 'experiences'.
The works are embellished by the fine work of guitars Grant Geissman and Mike Higgins,
basses Jim DeJulio and Ernie Nunez, and drums Kendall Kay and Dave Owens.
This little CD is a winner that should open even more doors to the growing audience for Peggy Duquesnel!
Grady Harp, February 10
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THIS IS BOOK’S MUSIC
February, 2010
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Peggy Duquesnel plays and sings jazz beautifully and gracefully, to where you want to listen to her sing and not walk out the back door, it’s pleasant to my ears. Her voice is very calming like Janis Siegel, where you not only hear her love for jazz and singing, but simply a love of music.
Summertime Lullaby (Joyspring Music) sounds exactly like the title suggests: warm, caring, and long, as if you never want the days to end. Her songs are played in an intimate fashion with only a small handful of musicians backing her up in each song. Standards here include “The Days Of Wine And Roses”, “On Green Dolphin Street”, and “Fly Me To The Moon”, but the four original tracks will show listeners that she’s more than capable of creating some standards-to-be,e specially “Drivin’ Blues” and “In The Quiet Hours” (the latter co-written with Dee Dee McNeil. She has been doing this for years., so longtime fans will find this to be a statement of her talents. Job well done.
By John Book.
Music reviews, news, opinions + more
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October 12, 2009
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News Enterprise, Los Alamitos
September, 2009
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At Good Shepherd Church, Mr. Abell will lead the traditional chancel choir, hand bell choirs and the
children's music program. He joins Peggy Duquesnel, Director of Contemporary Music, to offer a complete music program for all worship styles.
Peggy is an award winning oianist, composer, vocalist, and Grammy nomimee, with an eclectic background in jazz, pop, Latin, gospel and the classics. As Oeggy continues to build the 8:45 AM Contemporary worship through her leadership of a praise team lead service, Dee will lead the 10:30 AM traditional, choir-led worship using his classical music background.....
News Enterprise / California
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THE AMERICAN RAG
April, 2009
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The Attractive piano-playing-singer makes for an appealing concert package. And Duquesnel not only is supported by her trio but also by a full orchestra, a can't lose proposition from the standpoint of listeners or Duquesnel.
In sharp contrast to younger singers who think they need to reinvent the melodies of proven songs to gain attention, Duquesnel likes to sing songs the way they were written. And for most part, songs that have stood the test of time.......
THE AMERICAN RAG
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NORTH COUNTY TIMES
March, 2009
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CALIFORNIAN: Ducks, Angels and The Merc: Duquesnel can do it all. Peggy Duquesnel didn't swing a bat or power a puck, but for a sizable slice of her life both baseball and hockey played important roles in the jazz pianist and vocalist's career. She was house keyboardist for what were then known as the Anaheim Angels and Mighty Ducks at their respective playpens: Anaheim Stadium and Arrowhead Pond.....
North County Times / California
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THE OVERTURE
October, 2008
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A musician of stunning range and complexity,Peggy
Duquesnel's achievements in music are a testament to her
incredible devotion to her art. .......
The Overture
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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
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With Mike on bass, the quintet played such gems as Mel Torme's "Christmas Song,"
featuring vocalist/keyboardist Peggy Duquesnel, and a Miles Davis-style blues arrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy" .......
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L.A. Times Calendar Section September 7, 2001
This Festival Will Jazz Up Brea
Events * Peggy Duquesnel leads her quartet on opening night of the city-sponsored series, which focuses on Orange County luminaries.
By BY BILL KOHLHAASE,
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles are the centers of the jazz universe. But Orange County has its own galaxy of local jazz stars.
They will shine when the city of Brea presents the Brea Jazz Festival today through Sept. 29th.
Free performances are scheduled in the city's downtown for Friday and Saturday nights and Wednesday lunchtimes. Sponsored by the Brea Community Hospital and jazz radio KLON-FM (88.1), the groups--assembled by the Orange County Musicians Assn. Local 47, American Federation of Musicians--include combos, big bands and eclectic ensembles.
Festival organizers want to showcase the depth of the local scene and its quality. No one better represents that quality, they say, than longtime Orange County resident Peggy Duquesnel, who leads her quartet in the series opener tonight. Duquesnel, a pianist, vocalist and songwriter, attended Canyon High School in Anaheim Hills where, as a clarinetist, she was president of the school's band program and homecoming queen. A familiar presence in O.C. and Los Angeles jazz clubs, she studied classical piano at Cal State Fullerton before launching a professional career.
"I think it's great [the Brea Festival] will promote Orange County musicians," Duquesnel said. "And it's good exposure for the local performers. I think the festival will reach a broader audience with lots of families attending rather than just your typical jazz fan."
In 1991, Duquesnel recorded "Old Friends," a collection of her jazz originals with a group that included renowned bassist John Patitucci, then an Orange County resident. (The album has recently been remastered and re-released. Duquesnel will hold an album release party for it at Steamers Cafe in Fullerton Sept. 20.)
In 1997, she was selected to be Dionne Warwick's accompanist. She spent more than a year touring with the well-known singer and still substitutes in Warwick's ensemble. Duquesnel has also worked with singer Monica Mancini and her father, Henry Mancini.
"We were laying down some track music for a Julie Andrews project, and [Henry Mancini] and I just clicked," Duquesnel recalled. "He was very supportive of what I did. It was great to sit side by side on a piano bench with a person like that and hear him say these positive things about my playing."
In 1999, Duquesnel employed one of her former jazz piano instructors, Natalie Cole arranger Alan Broadbent, to write orchestral backing for her first recording as a vocalist, "What Is Love?" A lush, romantic album that included drummer Jeff Hamilton of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, it received favorable attention and was compared to the work of one of Duquesnel's longtime friends, singer Diana Krall.
Jazz fans aren't the only ones familiar with Duquesnel's work. She has been the organist-keyboardist for the Mighty Ducks for eight years, and she played at Angels games at Edison Field the last four. She'll take a leave of absence from the Angels game tonight to play in Brea.
Duquesnel's quartet will include Laguna Hills-based bassist and record producer Mike Peak and Los Angeles musicians drummer Dick Weller and saxophonist Ann Patterson. The pianist promises a variety of material and will sing a number of tunes.
On Saturday, the series continues with big band swing music from the Big Shots directed by Ken Treseder and featuring vocalist Johnny Fabulous, known in his hometown of Fullerton as Kirk Wall. The first Wednesday lunch concert boasts John Noreyko's tuba-fired, neo-bop ensemble Tubop, with its unusual instrumentation and wide-embrace of styles.
Future shows include the seven-piece jazz band the Side Street Strutters on Sept. 14; saxophonist, arranger and Golden West College instructor Tom Kubis' big band on Sept. 15; Dave Wells' 11-piece jump band Swingtown out of Newport Beach, vocalist Miss Rickey Nero on Sept. 22; the 16-piece big band of Santa Ana-based Norm Major on Sept. 28; and the award-winning Cal State Fullerton Jazz Ensemble, directed by Chuck Turnlinson, on Sept. 29.
Wednesday concerts feature drummer Matt Johnson's trio on Sept. 19 and Gerry Schroeder's contemporary band Whizzard on Sept. 26.
*
Brea Jazz Festival Concerts will be held on the Main Stage at the Gateway Promenade on Birch Street at Brea Boulevard in downtown Brea. Friday and Saturday concerts are 7-10 p.m. Wednesday concerts are 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Information: (714) 990-7600.
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The Orange County Register
POP MUSIC
Friday, July 9 1999
JAZZ - Peggy Duquesnel
"Where Is Love?" MPD Productions
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Fortunately for her, the Anaheim Angels' organist
is doing better than the team. Much better.
Peggy Duquesnel, known mostly for fills and effects at Edison Field and
Arrowhead Pond as well as session work, emerges here as a bona fide
jazz pianist and singer in a consistently pleasing, 14-song collection.
An intelligent blend of vocals and instrumentals, small-group cuts and
full-orchestra arrangements under the baton of Alan Broadbent, the disc
sustains many moods and is one of those that will surely wear well.
Duquesnel's clean, wide-ranging voice doesn't sound particularly like
any other singer's. She can be sweet and pure when appropriate, than
mournful and jazzy. Her melancholy style is particularly effective on "Spring
Can Really Hang You Up the Most," a difficult tune that she turns into a
mini-masterpiece.
Other vocal standouts include "Every Time We Say Goodbye," which has been previously rendered by
everyone from Nina Simone to Carly Simon. Duquesnel gives it a nice personal touch. And don't miss the sensitive reading of the title tune, inspired by an early hero of the singer, Irene Kral.
Instrumental highlights include a lilting "It Might As Well Be Spring"; the lovely "Icarus " a passionate
performance worthy of, say, an Eliane Elias; and Miles Davis' "Tune Up," featuring a thoughtful,
idea-filled piano solo as part of a rendition that drifts effortlessly between bebop and bossa nova.
It's also a showcase for Duquesnel's top-flight accompanists, bassist Tom Warrington and drummer Jeff
Hamilton. And Duquesnel's compositional skills are evident on the original "Hotel Blues," a funky, catchy
number that could have been written by Charlie Parker.
The album just oozes sincerity and is one of the finest debut efforts by anybody in years.
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C.D. Review from 9/99
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PEGGY DUQUESNEL Where Is Love? MPD Productions
Pianist Peggy Duquesnel has a way with standards
that recalls the stellar trios of Bill Evans, Hal Gainer, and Martial Saint.
Her more-than-capable assistance from bassist Tom Warrington and drummer
Jeff Hamilton brings the listener a swinging set of arrangements that includes
"Stella by Starlight," "Invitation," Clifford Brown's "Joyspring," Miles
Davis' "Tune Up," Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring" and the pianist's
own "Hotel Blues." Duquesnel also sings several numbers that have been
arranged by Alan Broadbent for a large studio orchestra. While the vocal
selections seethe with dramatic instrumental overtones, there's an absence
of swing and a coolness that Duquesnel displays naturally at the microphone.
Recall that the title tune, Lionel Bat's "Where Is Love?" was portrayed
in the musical "Oliver" with a frail sensitivity, holding back tears. Peggy
Duquesnel presents her vocal selections with the same kind of emotion,
sacrificing swing for a cooler presence. . Each of her piano trio selections, on the other
hand, swing out with an appropriate three way attack that welcomes the arrival of this local pianist on the jazz scene.
-Jim Santella
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September 1999
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Bob's Beat - PEGGY DUQUESNEL AT CATALINA'S
A good-sized crowd came out on a Monday night to hear
pianist vocalist /songwriter Peggy Duquesnel as she debuted
her brand new CD, "Where is Love?" on the MPD label.
Duquesnel is a very talented performer with a
very pretty voice. She sings many styles with good intonation and control
and she is a competent pianist. She put on a good show, singing classic
standards, jazz classics and originals.
Backed by some topnotch musicians, Tom Warrington
on bass, Dick Weller on drams and special guests, Alan Broadbent on piano
and Gary Foster on alto sax, Duquesnel got great support.
The set opened with a lively version of "Invitation." Duquesnel gave it a happy feel, playing with authority, drive and lots of space. Warrington and Weller were excellent. They next did an interesting rendition of "Up Jumped Spring," done in a waltz tempo. A very hip version as the rhythm cooked! Duquesnel had a lot of brightness in her playing, using lots of singular notes, while Warrington dug in on his outstanding solo and Weller used brushes with great style. The more contemporary sounding "Icarus" had lots of fast runs. It had a jazz-rock feel to it, like something Mangione might do.
An original by Duquesnel, "Hotel Blues," had a cry funky, down-home flavor. "Joy Spring" and "Tune Up" were some of the jazz classics the trio grooved on. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" was beautifully sung by Duquesnel. Mike Peak, the producer of the CD, came up and played bass, on a tune he wrote for his wife, Lucy, as Duquesnel sang the lyrics in a soulful mood. Broadbent played piano as Duquesnel sang "Where Is Love."
Broadbent has the right touch; he was marvelous.
Warrington and Weller rejoined the group with Gary Foster, who wailed on
his alto on "Everytime We Say Goodbye." "It Could Happen to You" was another
lively piece, with Foster sizzling on his solo. "It Might As Well be Spring"
closed out the set and a very enjoyable show.
I wish Duquesnel a lot of success with her new
CD.
-by Bob Comden
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EVENING OF JAZZ:
New
Zealand's Los Angeles-based, internationally acclaimed jazz pianist and arranger Alan Broadbent
and rising American jazz singer Peggy Duquesnel in action with
members of the Auckland Philharmonia in Auckland at the weekend.
The two jazz stars, plus the Philharmonia, will present an evening of
sophisticated jazz at Whangarei's Forum North tonight.
Broadbent has played with, and arranged for, many of the giants of
world jazz, including trumpet legend Chat Baker, Leo Konitz and
Henry Mancini.
Duquesnel has made many recordings and television appearances. A
skilled pianist as well as vocalist, she has backed singers such as
Dionne Warwick.
The performance was being sponsored by the Northern
Advocate.
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In a room with a spectacular view,
organist
Peggy Duquesnel plays "Take, Me
Out to the Ball Game" during rehearsal
for opening-day festivities at the newly refurbished and renamed Edison
Field In Anaheim.
THE KEY PLAYER
When the Anaheim Angels take to the field tonight
for the season opener, organist Peggy Duquesnel of Costa Mesa will be playing
their song and more.
By Tim Grenda, Daily Pilot
Local musician Peggy Duquesnel is ready to make
the jump from "Take the 'A' Train" to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".
For years, the Costa Mesa piano teacher has made a living
playing jazz standards from Duke Ellington and other
composers in smoky clubs and concert halls.
But tonight, when the Anaheim Angels take the home field
against the New York Yankees for the opening of the
American League baseball season, Duquesnel will be
seated in a booth behind home plate as the team's new
stadium organist.
"It's a bit of change from what I normally do, but it's fun,"
she said.
Duquesnel got the gig over the winter after auditioning to
replace the recorded rock songs and rap music that were
played during breaks at Angels games last year.
This season, for all but one of the team's 81 home games, Duquesnel will be the person largely
responsible for getting Angels fans to clap their hands and stomp their feet.
With an audience of thousands each night, Duquesnel
plans to use the one- or two- minute breaks at the games to play some of
the songs that are any jazz musician's bread and butter.
I'm doing more jazz standards and popular tunes
than they had before," she said.
I'm trying to pick a nice repertoire.
From a booth just above field level and right behind home plate, Duquesnel will play about 25 short tunes
including "The Mexican Hat Dance" and themes to the " Addams Family" and "Green Acres" television
shows during each game. 
Duquesnel, a New York native who admitted she's not a big sports fan, will join a team of professionals
who provide fireworks, songs and other entertainment during the games.
While much of what she plays will be spontaneous, Duquesnel said she and other members of the
entertainment team will have a few rehearsed bits for use during regular breaks, such as the seventh-inning stretch.
Although tonight will be her first performance
at a baseball game, Duquesnel is no stranger to entertaining during professional
sporting events.
For the last four years, she has been one of two organists who trade off playing music at home games of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the hockey team that along with the Angels is owned by Walt Disney Co. Duquesnel said the major difference between hockey
and baseball seems to be the pace of the game.
While hockey speeds along with few breaks, baseball crawls along at a relative snail's pace, with long steps in between each inning and while a new pitcher warms up. "It's taken a little bit of adjustment," Duquesnel said. "but I think I'll I have more of a chance to kind of
show off my talents."
A longtime keyboard and piano player, Duquesnel's
musical background is firmly planted in jazz. She has performed with the local contemporary
jazz group Pocket Change and also fronts her own jazz trio. For the past two weeks, Duquesnel has spent almost
every minute of her free time in a Capitol Records studio working on a
new solo album "Where is Love." No release date has been set, she said. It might seem like an accomplished jazz musician
would have to swallow her pride and be a little embarrassed about playing
cheesy jingles in between innings at a professional baseball game. But not so for Duquesnel, who said the Angels
gig is helping improve her live jazz concerts. "It's fun and I just approach it that way," she
said. "It's actually been great training for my jazz performances, learning
what moves a crowd and what doesn't." |
October 1991
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ENTERTAINMENT - Jazz Review
By BILL KOHLHAASE | October 1991
There was a coming out party of sorts at Spaghettini Rotisserie and Grill here Thursday. The occasion, an appearance by Orange County-based keyboardist Peggy Duquesnel, marked the first night of the restaurant's new five-day-a-week jazz policy in its adjoining lounge. In addition, it was also a well-deserved showcase for Duquesnel's compositional skills. The pianist, who's worked for such notables as Leslie Uggams, the Platters and guitarist Phil Upchurch, is familiar to O.C........
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