Patti DeRosa

Looking for contemporary acoustic folk music peppered with rhythm and spice? Patti DeRosa is a folk alchemist conjuring up an eclectic mix of musical magic…it’s a soft finger-picking ballad and a jazzy groove, an island rhythm and an edgy rocker, a political commentary and a humorous rhyme…You never know what you’re going to get and DeRosa likes it that way. She revels in diversity, both personally and musically (when she’s not making music, she’s the President of ChangeWorks Consulting, which focuses on workplace and community diversity - (www.changeworksconsulting.org).  Her music is “fun, funky, and sizzling” and is delivered with a stage presence that draws the audience in and warms the heart. 

Her new CD, Secrets and Stories, was released in Sept. 2007 and is bursting with the flavors of jazz, R&B, rock, and funk, all grounded in a folk sensibility. Patti’s smooth vocals and crisp guitar playing are supported by a stellar cast of musicians including Vance Gilbert, John Curtis, Tom Eaton, Lorne Entress, Tara Greenblatt, Paul Kochanski, Kristen Miller, Billy Novick, and Pablo Picker. And then there is the songwriting – lyrics and melodies overflowing with passion, insight, and attitude. Though this CD features a full band, Patti’s percussive guitar style carries on the groove in her live performances.

Her 1st CD, Paradise, was released in Jan. 2005 and was nominated for “Best Local CD” by Motif Magazine, and is played on radio stations across the country.  Patti has opened for artists such as Vance Gilbert, Vicki Genfan, Emma’s Revolution, Terence Martin, Lisa Moscatiello, Kevin So, and will open for Antje Duvekot in March 2008. She has performed at the 2007 Boston Folk Festival, 2006 Folk Alliance Martin Guitar Showcase, and the 2006 Snapple Newport Sunset Music Festival. Patti DeRosa is a powerful presence, equally fun, funky, and sizzling.

Patti started writing songs as soon as she got her first guitar when she was thirteen years old living in Long Island, NY. She moved to Boston to pursue her graduate studies in social work and African American studies, and continued to be a frequent performer in the Boston and New York folk scene. At one point, she put down her guitar for the steel drums, as her love of Caribbean music and culture lead her to join the Boston-based Metro Steel Orchestra, where she played ”pan”, sang, and even did the limbo. She even took a long hiatus from the music world to dedicate herself to her passion for social justice. But the draw of her music was too compelling, and several years ago, Patti picked up her guitar and has back actively performing across the country. She currently lives in the Boston area and when she is not playing music, you're likely to find her at a community meeting, writing, reading, dancing, laughing with friends, or planning yet another escape to her favorite spot in the Caribbean.