Conversations with Dawn Derow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Derow.

Hi Dawn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My Husband, John H Williams, is from St. Paul. We now live in North Palm Beach Fl. For both of us it’s the first year living in an all-year-long warm climate. I’m originally from Cape Cod, MA. I grew up there, then went to Boston Conservatory to study Voice & Music. I lived in Manhattan for 20 years and that’s where John and I met in 2018.

My singing career has been a varied one. I started off with Musical Theater and Opera and now I have found a niche for Jazz Standards, Pop & Classic Rock.

My latest Album, “My Ship: Songs from 1941” on the ZOHO Music label has been currently touring around the country since its release last December. I was happy to be one of 78 on the shortlist for Grammy’s this year.. but when you are competing with the likes of Norah Jones, Michael Bublé, and Kelly Clarkson your chances are slim. Still, What an honor to be considered in the Traditional Pop Vocal Category. The album continues to play on radio stations and of course is available on all the platforms.

“MY SHIP: SONGS FROM 1941,” – is also the show we performed at the DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB on AUG 30th, 2022 in Minneapolis. So here’s the story about my first time in the Twin Cites.

When we arrived on Sunday, Aug 28th. We dropped our bags off at our dear friend’s house and we went straight to the TWINS Baseball game.

It was a glorious day for a ball game, and the Twins Won that day. But for me the best part was when someone behind us dropped something into our aisle.

We all looked back with a glare that quickly turned into friendly humor from the family sitting a row above us. My friend Renee says – “Do you know who that is, Dawn? That’s our US Senator Tina Smith and her family.”

It didn’t take long after that for us to introduce ourselves. My husband said, “My wife Dawn Derow has a show at the Dakota on Tuesday, you should come.” Turns out Tina Smith has connections of her own at the Dakota.

A couple of innings later, I caught Tina and her husband Archie at the concession stand – I had to get a photo with her and let her know of my political involvement in the Blue Wave 2018. She graciously said thank you for my volunteer work and we snapped the photo.

On Tuesday night, we had a pretty substantial size house – for a singer who doesn’t know that many people here – over half full and full of energy and delight for the music we offered up.

There’s a song in the show called “Why Don’t We Do This more often? ” I exit the stage and make my way through the crowd to flirt with whatever stranger seems open to the idea of it. Sure Enough, there they were, Mr. & Mrs. Smith sitting in a booth.

Of course, I sang a couple of lines to both of them and flirted with Archie.

What an honor to have a US Senator show up to see you sing at your Minneapolis Debut!

Afterwards, we got an even better picture together.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
That’s a pretty broad question. So I’ll talk about what it’s like being your own producer & creator as a cabaret/Jazz artist. I spent years hustling in NYC and making a name for myself. Talent aside, it’s important to connect with your audience. I’d say one of the struggles is rallying fans to show up at various shows. You become your own publicist, manager, and press agent sometimes and that can be challenging. I think its so important to meet the guests afterwards to get that real connection.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your vocal work?
I’m known for being a versatile singer that can move effortlessly from one genre to the next. Opera – Jazz – Musical Theater – Alternative Rock – Pop and Rock. At a very young age, I wanted classical training, I got that training at the Boston Conservatory. But I also played guitar and wrote songs, I loved all those chic rockers from the 90’s. When I was a child I was influenced by Broadway Musicals, and soft rock from the 70’s. As I became an adult and moved to New York, I knew that it wasn’t about singing just one style but singing in general. When I found Cabaret in 2008, it seemed to check all the boxes for me, as I could create my own shows with whatever I felt compelled to sing. This past year I am most proud of my album “My Ship: Songs from 1941.” Did I mention it’s available on all the platforms? That’s the show I performed at the Dakota. I guess what sets me apart is my love for the healing arts. Not only through singing and performing but I am also a Personal Trainer, Mobility Coach, and Yoga therapist. My two careers are both umbrellas under the act of healing and giving off positive vibes.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
That’s hard to say. But I do hope it continues to grow and expand to the masses. I also hope that I will return to this awesome state and sing some more for the fine Minnesotans I have met here. You know, you watch a singer like “Adele” and think – “That’s what I do, only she’s on a bigger scale and higher level.” But essentially, she is the torch singer in the pop world. She covers standards but writes her own music. She gives big elaborate concerts but keeps them intimate by talking to the crowd.. It is a similar form to cabaret and NightClub singing. I hope that the music business embraces more artists like me in the way they do Adele. Most importantly, to have the younger generation learn about the American Songbook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dawnderow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawnderow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawnderow
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dawnderow
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/DhQtC_fFx7c
• Other: https://smarturl.it/DawnDerowMyShip

Image Credits
Takako Harkness
Matt Baker
Miranda Suess
Ryan Merrill
Bob Tucker