Originally Wisconsin: Donna Woodall Group

About Donna Woodall:

www.donnawoodall.com

 “At age 48, my mother decided to pursue a life-long dream to become a jazz singer. A few years later, she recorded her only CD entitled, ‘Never Too Late.’ She believed it was ‘never too late’ to follow one’s heart. As I sail into this new season of my life, her words move and motivate me each time I step onto a stage.” -Donna Woodall

Donna Woodall grew up with family sing-alongs, church choirs, movie musicals, and a lifetime supply of albums from her parent’s vast and diverse music collection. Her earliest influences were greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Barbra Streisand, and Johnny Mathis, along with Elton John, Billy Joel, The Beatles, and Stevie Wonder. She attributes her specific love of jazz music to her grandfather, who encouraged a young Donna to “sit and listen” to swinging divas, and to her mother, Jeanne Woodall, who performed in Milwaukee jazz circles, leaving behind a legacy of song after her passing in 2011.

Donna Woodall began her Milwaukee music career singing with top local groups, The Eddie Butts Band and Streetlife (former house band of the Milwaukee Bucks). She quickly discovered her own voice and style, forming the Donna Woodall Group. With her unique mix of jazz/blues and pop originals and covers, Donna Woodall blurs musical genres and presents lush, intimate vocals with every performance.  She has established herself as a skilled singer, bandleader, and songwriter in the Milwaukee music scene. In 2023, Donna Woodall was voted WAMIs (Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s) FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR. She was also a WAMI nominee/finalist for Jazz Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year. Masterful delivery and a captivating stage performance set Donna apart from the rest. 

Donna artfully blends the musical styles of artists such as Carole King, Cassandra Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Sting, Marvin Gaye, and Tracy Chapman with elements of traditional jazz and blues. The result? A fresh, new twist on familiar pop songs. Audiences are delighted by her eclectic song selections, cool originals, creative renditions of classic hits and jazz standards, and her bold moves into different music genres- all the while staying grounded in her jazz roots. 

Street parking only, at the venue. Cash bar available.

Host or Publisher Wisconsin Music Ventures