Denise Mangiardi Quintet

The internationally acclaimed pianist, vocalist and composer celebrates a lifetime of musical exploration with her ninth album, Apparitions. To celebrate Apparitions, Mangiardi will host a special CD launch performance at PizzaExpress Live in Soho, Sunday the 17 January.

With a lifetime shaped by international experiences, musical experimentation and collaboration, Apparitions represents another significant chapter for an artist whose creative journey continues to evolve. She will be joined with her band, hailing from Paris, featuring; Bruno Rousselet on bass, Jeff Boudreaux on drums, Robby Marshall on clarinet and sax, and special guest from London, Dave O’Higgins on sax.

Denise Mangiardi is an internationally experienced pianist, vocalist, composer, songwriter, arranger and producer. Originally from Long Island, New York, she studied at Berklee College of Music. For Denise Mangiardi, music has never been confined to a single genre. An accomplished pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger, her career has taken her from the jazz clubs of New York to orchestral concert halls around the world. With Apparitions, her ninth album, Mangiardi brings together decades of musical experience in a deeply personal project that returns to the art of storytelling.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Mangiardi began performing her own compositions at just 14, appearing at the legendary Bitter End in New York City. She later studied at Berklee College of Music, majoring in piano and composition, and went on to complete three master’s degrees, including composition studies at Trinity Laban in Greenwich, London, and film scoring in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Denise has performed and recorded with respected musicians including Jason Rebello, Jay Anderson, Mark Soskin, Harold Danko, Jerry Bergonzi and Johnny Vidacovich. She also received personal guidance from world-renowned jazz pianist and accompanist Ellis Larkins, who took a special interest in helping develop her career.

One particularly memorable encounter took place when Mangiardi was performing with her band in New York at the age of 24. Following the performance, a man approached her with some unforgettable advice: “Whatever you do, never give up on music.” She later discovered that the man was legendary composer and arranger Gil Evans, who had been listening alongside Miles Davis. It remains a defining moment in her musical journey.

Beyond jazz performance, Mangiardi has composed numerous orchestral works. Her composition Songs of the Rainforest, dedicated to Ayrton Senna, was commissioned by Orchestra Toronto and featured during its 2013 Diamond Jubilee performance. She also received an honorary mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for her song River Of My Own.

Acclaimed producer Al Schmitt, described her as “a remarkable talent”. With a lifetime shaped by international experiences, musical experimentation and collaboration, Apparitions represents another significant chapter for an artist whose creative journey continues to evolve.