Swing, Blues & Vintage Jazz

Preservationist singer/songwriter, keyboards, melodica, studio vocalist.

Swing, Blues & Vintage Jazz

Preservationist singer/songwriter, keyboards, melodica, studio vocalist.

The Carousing '20s are Here!

With more than 250 jazz shows under her knickers, Donna Kay presents original and vintage jazz and blues tunes. Currently performing as a freelance vocalist. See show updates for more info. Donna Kay & the Carousers are available for bookings three months in advance.

Email me: donnakayandthecarousers@gmail.com

NEXT SHOW!

Bella~Donna - Full Band

Saturday February 17, 2024 "Love Me Or Leave Me"

Second Stage Amherst, VA.

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE EVENT. Scroll down to join me via e-mail.

2024 Brings A New Era

I've been performing, producing and hosting shows, writing for music magazines, promoting and marketing shows, not to mention writing songs and putting out records, for decades. Now, I am returning to freelance vocal work. I AM FOR HIRE and will blend with any combo, from 2- to 17-pieces. Reference are available.

I specialize in studio recording and working closely with producers and arrangers. Contact me at the email address above to schedule.

Follow Donna Kay

2023 Brings More Collaboration

BellaDonna

Donna Kay hauled the caravan to central Virginia in 2021. There, she met Laurabella Owens, a well known jazz and blues pianist, singer and composer. They teamed up in 2022 for private shows and 6th St. Sessions, then all bets were off! The pair were regularly seen at Dish on Main Street in Lynchburg, VA throughout 2023

2022 Went Out With A Bang!

BellaDonna brought the Holiday Cheer to end Donna's 2022 hosting/curating the 6th Street Sessions. Symbiotic with this effort, a resurgence of jazz occurred in downtown Lynchburg, with new venues presenting jazz weekly.

Donna Kay & The Carousers book three months in advance.

"If you don't love me, then all bets are off!" (All Bets Are Off)

From the CD Possessed. Available on Amazon, ITunes and all streaming platforms.

LIVE, VINTAGE JAZZ, BLUES AND SWING makes the PARTY party!

"Look at all the gin that I drank. Baby, won't you drive me home?" (Motor Mouth)

From the CD Possessed. Available on Amazon, ITunes and all streaming platforms.

WESTERN SWING

Where Jazz Found Country

Western swing was a big part of the vintage jazz era and The Carousers celebrate the genre with an EP of tunes inspired by Donna's Virginia heritage.

JAZZ PRESERVATION...

Back to the Future: The Carousing '20s

Many jazz tunes are just a chorus, a mere shadow of their former selves. Donna Kay explores these tunes in their original forms with "The Lost Introductions Donna Kay Loves" video series. Digging through the archives of all that is available to us today, Kay brings these tunes back to the future for everyone to learn about and enjoy! Check out this "double lost" version of At Last.

STUFF YOU CAN GET...

POSSESSED - Full length CD

DEVIL WATER - Western Swing EP

All originals with one surprise derivative of a Stephane Grappelli song, Minor Swing. A Carousing Birthday is the highlight of this release, viewed on You Tube for thousands of birthdays! Available on Amazon.com and all streaming platforms.

DEVIL WATER - Western Swing EP

Our Western Swing CD has had the most plays, with 35k-plus streams of Devil Water, the title track, which Donna wrote in homage to her home state of Virginia. Available on Amazon.com and all streaming platforms.

FREE AND EASY

DEVIL WATER - Western Swing EP

LIVE SHOWS for ADULTS ONLY!

The brand new single with music by Monty Craig and lyrics/melody by Donna Kay. Working with new tools/programs.

LIVE SHOWS for ADULTS ONLY!

The Carousers pride themselves on knowing how to Carouse! Always professional, our "adults only" show features more colorful language, stories and antics. Shows range from trios to a full, 6-piece band.

LIVE ALL AGES FARE

LIVE SHOWS for ADULTS ONLY!

TANZEN! DANCE! DANSE!

The Carousers play festivals, weddings and cultural events like: Fall for Greenville, Artisphere, NOMA Square, and the TD Auditorium, all in Greenville, SC as well as historic Hagood Mill in Pickens, SC.

TANZEN! DANCE! DANSE!

LIVE SHOWS for ADULTS ONLY!

TANZEN! DANCE! DANSE!

The Carousers are best known for playing swing dances like GVLX7, GVLX8, Prohibition Charleston, and for private dance groups. We will get your feet moving, always mindful of the tempo and song length requested by the client.

WHO IS DONNA KAY, ANYWAY?

Donna Kay's first performance was the 4-H talent show in 3rd grade.

Born: Donna Kay Smith, in Lynchburg, VA
Cities: Lynchburg, VA (current); Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; Naples, FL; Charlottesville, VA; Austin, TX; Atlanta, GA.

Music Highlights

FOUNDER / CREATIVE FORCE with Donna Kay & The Carousers

COLLABORATOR under the pseudonym VITAMIN KAY

BIG BAND VOCALIST with Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble

CO-CREATOR, Vibe Vox, with Daniel Z

Liar's Club, King-Kill/33, The Hookers (ATLANTA projects)

Angel Cafe, PRAGUE. With Alex's Hand in BERLIN. Fall for Greenville / Artisphere! / TD Amphitheatre / The Velo Fellow / 13 Stripes Brewery / Smiley's Acoustic Cafe / Quest Brewing / Hagood Mill Foundation / Greenville Chorale Gala (Greenville SC). Chapman Cultural Center / Jazz on the Square / SXSE (Spartanburg SC). Jack O the Wood / New Belgium Brewing / Oskar Blues Brewing (Asheville NC). Prohibition Charleston / Commonhouse Aleworks / Smoke N Brew (Charleston, SC) and many private shows. Book yours, anytime.

BOOKING. I am not represented by an agent at this time. ASCAP Affiliated.

Drop a line to book me for any recording or live project: donnakayandthecarousers@gmail.com

HAPPILY MAKING MUSIC!

KEEP CAROUSING IN THE CAROUSING 20s!