Born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 24, 1959-Denise Buckner always grew up around music. Her earliest 
memories were of her mother Ira Mae Buckner, who passed away in 2002 singing in the kitchen on Saturday mornings. She has a beautiful voice and Denise recalls imitating her as well as other popular singers of those times. Denise being the shy child that she was, would do what most little girls did with the towel on her head for hair and a brush in hand for her microphone; secretly performing before thousands in the bathroom mirror. She always loved to sing but couldn’t get past her shyness to sing in front of others. Instead she began piano lessons and played first clarinet throughout her years at Horace Mann Jr. High.
Denise moved to San Jose, California in the early 70’s where she now resides. She considers herself musically as “a late bloomer” and likes to joke about finally “coming out the shower” in 2002. Those that knew and loved her began to affectionately call her “Lady D” Her proudest moment was when she had the opportunity to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Compaq Arena in San Jose, in front of thousands of people. This was the event that launched her passion to perform. Her family had never really heard her sing before and was amazed at her ability to do so.
Denise lost her father earlier the same year as her mother in 2002. Denise is extremely grateful that he had the opportunity to hear her sing. She has fond memories of a wedding she was singing in, and her father was in attendance unaware of the days event. They sat side by side close to the front of the church and when the soft piano music began to play, Denise stood and began to walk toward the microphone. Behind her she could hear her father Clarence, whispering loudly “Neecee! Neecee!” trying to coax her back to her seat, not sure what she was about to do. She took the microphone and began to sing, blocking out the fact that she had never done anything like that before. Her father, who wasn’t a very emotional man had tears streaming down his face. This gave her that much needed confidence and was the validation she needed to move forward pursuing her singing
.
Denise went on to win several Bay Area singing contest, as well as perform with various local bands throughout the Bay. She considers herself and “old spirit” and has been inspired by some of the greatest jazz vocalist such as: Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, and Nancy Wilson. When ask what her musical aspirations are, she flashes that big old smile and says “ give me a Jazz Quartet and a mic, and watch out!!!”
