By: Elowen Gray
The acclaimed soprano, executive, artist, and author Denise S. Young, whose stunning vocals span opera, jazz, gospel, and classical music, continues to make headlines nowadays. Her distinctive vocal style and heartfelt performances have enchanted her audiences now find her voice in a new medium as an author and continued cultural architect.
Early Life and Musical Influences
Young, a Colorado native with Louisiana roots, was surrounded by diverse musical styles from a young age. She found inspiration in the works of jazz icons like Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Lesley Gore, and Patsy Cline, alongside gospel legends such as Tramaine Hawkins.
During her teenage years, Young discovered the sheer magic of classical soprano voices, such as Kathleen Battle and Leontyne Price, offering her a first glimpse into the range and expanse of her voice and thus influencing her artistic journey. Young describes being “stricken” by the duets of Kathleen Battle and Wynton Marsalis and remembers saying she never wanted to hear anything else. Later in life, while simultaneously breaking down barriers in the tech world, Young pursued classical voice studies with tenor instructor and vocal coach Carl Franzen, forming the basis of her unique vocal style, her ability to transition from genre to genre, but also forming a blueprint for a non-traditional approach to performing.
Performance Highlights
Young’s classical career track took her to Europe, specifically Italy, where she studied hot summers in music conservatories. Then, she changed and boarded a bus to perform at outdoor operatic festivals that spanned the central Italian countryside. While her work colleagues were taking their families to Disney World, Young was learning repertoire, language, and performing… all in real-time. She looks back with some surprise at how her focus on craft took her to esteemed venues worldwide, including Carnegie’s Weill Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, SFJAZZ, Colorado’s Armstrong Hall, the Colorado Symphony, and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. If asked, her most treasured performing experience was an “Ellington and Friends” an early post-pandemic concert at Grace Cathedral ( the audience was masked and separated with proper social distance spacing) celebrating the anniversary of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Hymns concert. Performing her debut single, Ellington’s Come Sunday, and integrating Joaquin Rodrigo, Ricky Ian Gordon, her songs, and her favorite gospel pieces, Young created and produced the concert, leaving the audience with what one member described as “ an incredible gift of song, story, and presence.”
Debut Album: “Denise Young Soprano”
In 2017, Young released her debut single, “Come Sunday,” her elegant take on Duke Ellington’s timeless hymn. This was soon followed by her first album, “Denise Young Soprano,” a collection that beautifully merged classical duets, jazz, and the traditional spiritual. The album includes tracks like “Nature of Your Pain,” an original piece, along with interpretations of classics such as Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Jobim’s “Waters of March.” Highlighting her penchant for storytelling through music, the album was produced by famed jazz duo Tuck and Patti, with appearances by Juan Escovedo, Brazilian songstress Flora Purim’s bassist Gary Brown, and composer-trumpeter Terence Blanchard.
Literary Contributions
Young has made an essential contribution to literature with her book, “When We Are Seen,” which provides a reflective look into her life as a Black woman in Silicon Valley. Drawing from her experience as a former chief of HR and co-creator of the Apple Store experience, Young offers a unique mix of memoir and practical advice, stressing the significance of authenticity and empathy in the workplace. Young’s artistic and musical background served and informed her tech career in unique ways that she shares in the book, to much acclaim.
Continuing the Legacy
As is talked about in her book, Young accomplished many things in her quest and commitment to redefine living a creative life. As an artist, author, and advocate, she remains steadfastly committed to encouraging other artists and storytellers, coaching reputable leaders, and aiding organizations of all types in creating the culture needed to allow for thriving. As a Trustee for the premiere jazz presenter SFJAZZ, Young’s impact there made a difference in how many artists see themselves and are seen, as well as how SFJAZZ takes on the responsibility and high call of healing, the call she believes art and arts organizations everywhere must be prepared to fulfill in the 21st century. An upholder of traditions in multiple genres, storyteller, and preserver of stories, path maker, and inspirer …an “artist’s artist” colleagues call her, Young practices avidly the wisdom of her own words from her book… “When We Are Seen”.
Her work and legacy stand as an inspiring reminder of the power of authenticity and the lasting influence of African-American voices in the arts.
Published by: Cammy V.
