The Musician

A native of New Hampshire, Linda has been singing professionally since the early seventies, first in coffee houses, then in jazz rock bands. Further exploring her love of mainstream jazz and swing, she formed The Tiffany Jazz Quintet which played throughout New England in clubs, at concerts and jazz festivals, on television and as opening acts for well knowns such as Stephane Grappelli, Herb Ellis and Barnie Kessel.

Upon moving to Worcester, in 1984 she formed the Dagnello Jazz Quintet. Since that time she has focused on clubs, concerts, and private event work. She has played throughout Worcester at the El morocco, Jazz at Sunset Series at the Ecotarium, outdoor summer concerts at City Hall, Institute Park, and Elm Park, clubs such as Gilrein's and Union Blues, and WICN's 2005 Brown Bag concert series at Mechanics Hall.

Linda's jazz vocal experience includes everything from duos to big bands, but her main focus remains her quintet and their musical arrangements. A true love of standards, she was influenced by many but works hard to recreate each song in her own voice.

Linda can be heard on the CD entitled FEVER released in June of 1995 and on WRITTEN IN THE STARS that came out in March of 2005. Her latest release is available on www.cdbaby.com and iTunes.

CD Review Quotes

"As a singer, Linda has one of those voices that defies comparison.

She has the coy phrasing of Billie Holiday shadowing slightly behind the beat. Betty Carter can be heard in her manipulation of lyrics. The cool school vocalists Anita O'Day and Chris Connor are hinted at in tone—that breathy, no vibrato hush and whisper sound that tends to make notes float and linger like a feather
hovering in flight."

–Chet Williamson, Worcester Magazine 1995

"…Linda turning in spellbinding vocals…"

"Linda Dagnello's vocal gifts shine throughout. Her sultry take on "Fever" is appropriately steamy, while she bounds through 'Groovin' High' like a kid on the first day of summer vacation."

–Scott McLennan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette 1995

"Where FEVER featured many well-known standards, Written in the Stars veers off into lesser known gems that even better reflect her original style. Dagnello ably handles the noir vibe of 'It was Written in the Stars,' the gentle sparseness of 'Lazy Afternoon' and the percolating rhythms of 'Besame Mucho.'"

"Major Talent in a Minor Key"

Jazz vocalist and artist Linda Dagnello spent the 1970's and 80's immersed in both recorded and live jazz. These influences affected her vocal performance as well as her artistic endeavors in the mediums of pastel, printmaking and oil painting.

Lucky to have seen many jazz giants in concert, she had the opportunity to catch some of these on film in the area’s historic jazz venues.

In the 1990's she shifted her focus to graphic design working under the name Dagnello Design. While continuing her business and vocal performing, she has recently returned to oil painting.

Linda's latest CD "Written in the Stars" can be found on cdbaby.com and iTunes. For more information about her artwork contact: ldagnello@aol.com