Songstress Anna Danes

The statuesque blonde who belted out the National Anthem during Opening Day at Del Mar is Anna Danes, a Solana Beach jazz singer who has many other classical American songs in her repertoire. Her recent album Longing, recorded with award-winning musicians, includes a dozen jazz covers, from Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right with Me” to Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You.” Danes also sings such contemporary favorites as “Killing Me Softly,” “Splendor in the Grass,” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”
The Polish-born Danes was just ten when her family fled Communist rule. An attorney in Canada before moving to Southern California, Danes took up singing seriously just a few years ago, after her daughter lost interest in the singing lessons Danes had purchased for her at an auction. One of Dane’s teachers, the musician, composer, and producer Larry White, became one of her mentors. Danes’ daughter took up the guitar; Danes has been making her own beautiful music ever since. (www.annadanes.com)    ANDREA NAVERSEN

Photo by The Boudoir Divas