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Dennis Rowland
Born (1948-02-03) February 3, 1948 (age 76)
Detroit, Michigan
Genres Vocal jazz
Occupation(s) Singer
Years active 1970–present
Labels Concord
Associated acts Count Basie

Dennis Rowland is an American jazz vocalist born and raised in Detroit.

Career

Having grown up in a household of jazz enthusiasts, Rowland developed an appreciation for jazz music at an early age. At the age of five or six Rowland heard the vocals of Joe Williams of the Count Basie Orchestra, which has influenced his approach to singing ever since.

In the early 1970s, Rowland worked as a singer and actor in Detroit. In 1977 Count Basie hired him to sing on tour, filling the same role his idols Joe Williams and Jimmy Rushing had occupied. For Rowland, it was a dream come true, and he toured with Basie for the next seven years. During his time with Basie, he had the chance to share the stage with Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. Rowland was seen as Jimmy Baker in the film Real Gone Cat directed by Robert Sucato.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Rhyme, Rhythm & Reason (Concord Jazz, 1995)
  • Get Here (Concord Vista 1996)
  • Now Dig This! A Vocal Celebration of Miles Davis (Concord Jazz, 1997)

Credits

Count Basie Album Year Label
Count Basie: The Golden Years Pablo
On the Road 1979 Pablo/Original Jazz Classics
Kansas City Shout 1980 Pablo
Wendell Harrison Album Year Label
Birth of a Fossil 1985 Rebirth
Ray Anthony Album Year Label
Swing Back to the 40s 1991 Aerospace
Joe Sample Album Year Label
Sample This 1997 Warner Bros.
Frank Foster Album Year Label
We Do It Diff'rent 2003 Mapleshade
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