DAYNA may amaze you as she has others.

“From Ray Charles and Tom Waits to Nina Simone and Prince, the Brooklyn-born singer and songwriter finds inspiration in almost every type of genre. Kurtz’s own music is hard to categorize, and her rich and smoky alto can easily switch from a sensual croon to a blues howl.”

Over the past decade, the New Jersey born (turns out she wasn’t Brooklyn born), now New Orleans resident vocalist/ writer/ musician/ producer has been bestowed with many awards and praises, including being named the Female Songwriter of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters. Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt have raved about her in interviews, and she’s performed on such high-profile radio shows as World Cafe, Mountain Stage and NPR’s Morning Edition and Tell Me More.

She’s toured with the likes of Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Mavis Staples, Rufus Wainwright, B.B. King, Dr. John, Richie Havens, Keren Ann, Chris Whitley, and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

She’s still building an audience at home, but Kurtz has already gained widespread acclaim from fans and critics in Europe with her 2002 debut, Postcards from Downtown — a top seller in Holland.

Do not get Bill or Paul Cebar started about the wonders of Dayna’s talent unless you have a lot of spare time.