​Dena Taylor
National Veteran's CAF 2025 Gold Medal - Vocal Jazz
IMC's 2014 Best Female Jazz Artist
"It's not enough for music to BE good, it also has to DO good!"
44th National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
Indianapolis, IN
May 11 - 18, 2025
Just got notified that I won the Jazz category of the NVCAF competition. I just had to share this "news" because I'm so proud to be a part of the 44th National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. I'm not much for competitions but I have been in two. The first was when I was on deployment and some of my company thought I should have "a go" ... I didn't do very well .. possibly because the copious amounts of beer that was being consumed at the pre-competition celebration. And now this one .. I'm certainly a lot older and possibly a little wiser but maybe that makes me savor this a bit more .. I remember those friends who didn't have to opportunity to be either! At any rate, I'll be there in the company of peers who are also artists. I hope if you are in Indianapolis during the week of the festival .. you consider coming to have a look at the art exhibit and being a part of the performer showcase audience! AND .. if you're there .. please come and say hello .. I'll be somewhere around!
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The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) is the celebration and grand finale stage show along with art and writing exhibitions that are the culmination of talent competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama, and music for veterans treated in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national health care system.
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Veterans participating in the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival won their VA health care system’s local competitions in art, creative writing, dance, drama and music, and were then invited to the national competition to showcase their work.
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The public is invited to attend the two public events, the stage show performance and the art and writing exhibition. Video features, photography and interview opportunities with veteran artists and VA recreational therapists are available throughout the week.
Truthfully things are so stressful everywhere and people are really struggling and there's just so many differences anymore. It ain't easy! So I wanted to share my favorite song. I did it with the incomparable Rick McRae, Ernie Durawa and Brad Taylor several years back. I loved singing it and I still love listening to it .. it makes sense in a crazy world!
"I wanted to spotlight the last two tracks I recorded with Redd Volkaert, Floyd Domino, and Joey Colarusso before Redd moved to Virginia with his beautiful wife. I can't believe how lucky I have been! Redd still comes back to Austin to play occasionally and I'll sure ask him to save some time for the studio.
In the meantime .. Floyd and I and, I hope, Joey Colarusso will be back in there doing something
(if they both are ever off the road at the same time)!
Want to find out more about me? Up Close & Personal is the place! There's also a link to several interviews.
You can listen to my music in the Listening Room!
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And please take the time to find out about The Lullaby Project!
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The
Lullaby
Project
The purpose of The Lullaby Project is to provide something that can offer comfort and be soothing to people – primarily children, cancer patients & vets with PTSD – in high stressed or displaced situations.
Click here to learn more about the Lullaby Project, to listen to the CD and to submit a request.
Contact
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