A native of New Hampshire, Linda Dagnello has been singing professionally since the mid-seventies, exploring her love of mainstream jazz and swing, and forming Jazz Quintets 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.

A resident of Worcester since 1984, she has played many of the city's most popular venues including:

The El Morocco Restaurant
Jazz at Sunset, Ecotarium
Studio 3 television broadcast
Mechanics Hall
Union Blues
Nick's Bar and Restaurant

Linda's jazz vocal experience includes everything from duos to 18 piece big bands, as well as the ensemble shows "A tribute to Chet Baker" and 'The Unknown Ellington"; but her main focus remains her quintet and their musical arrangements. A true love of standards, she is influenced by and likened to many well known vocalists, but recreates each song in her own voice and style.

Linda's CD entitled FEVER released in June of 1995 can be purchased directly
through linda@lindadagnello.com

Her second release WRITTEN IN THE STARS released in March of 2005 is available in full CD or digital download on cdbaby.com, amazon.com, and through i-tunes.

"FEVER" The Dagnello Jazz Quintet
Linda Dagnello, vocals / Jay Messer, guitar / Wade Mikkola, bass / Bob Dagnello, drums /
Mike Wakefield, saxophones

Reviews for: "FEVER"

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

"Written in the Stars" Linda Dagnello
Linda Dagnello, vocals / Dick Odgren, piano / Bob Simonelli, bass / Mike Connors, drums /
Bill Fanning, trumpet and fluglehorn/ Mike Wakefield, alto sax

Reviews for: 'Written in the Stars"

"Major Talent in a Minor Key". 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."
–Scott McLennan, Worcester Telegram & Gazette 2005.

Linda Dagnello takes a straight ahead course that emphasizes ballads. The standards that she has selected for the program allow her voice to carve out each melodic design precisely, leaving the improvisation for her band. They make a great ensemble, turning out interesting solos, trading fours, and forming a cohesive accompaniment. Dagnello weaves a slow expressive pattern that invites favorable comparisons to memorable vocalists with similar passions, such as Lena Horne, Chris Connor, and Julie London. Each song comes with deep feeling. She caresses each lyric and gives it a firm handshake. The meaning slips aboard casually, as the singer applies heartfelt devotion to the composer's intentions. Dagnello balances each selection with muted trumpet, open fluglehorn or alto saxophone improvisations on the melody. Similarly, her piano trio hops on board with graceful gestures that blend well with her sultry interpretations. The program offers plenty of room for slow oozing expression. Dagnello's winning performance can be best summed up with her interpretation of "Lazy Afternoon," where she inches gradually through an exotic daydream with a wisestep meter that lets her pause for emphasis wherever she pleases. Accompanied by muted trumpet and piano trio, the singer gives her audience a long, drawn out affair that simmers comfortably among the flowers that decorate your backyard patio. She brings her presentation to your doorstep, giving each selection a personal endorsement that remains close to the heart.
–Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine. February 2006

For more information, interviews, music clips and artwork visit the
Linda Dagnello page at:
www.jazzhistorydatabase.com

View a performance on YouTube here: Linda Dagnello Jazz Quintet: No Moon At All