All About Danita

Danita Mumphard grew up in a family with a mother who serves as a minister of music and a father who is the bassist for the renowned jazz group Trio Trés Bien. “Music was always in our home and in my heart,” Danita commented. “How could I not want to sing when I constantly heard live gospel and jazz played under my roof!”

Danita began singing as a youth in churches with her mother, Gwendolyn Thompson, a retired music teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools, and her older sister. As Danita grew in her knowledge of God’s Word and in vocal maturity, she moved from choir and ensemble work and began performing as a solo artist.

Danita performs with legendary jazz group, Trio Trés Bien. “When a gig cropped up at the last minute and we needed a singer, my brothers and I thought we’d give Danita a try,” father Harold Thompson said. “The crowd’s reaction to her was so favorable that we have kept her as our featured vocalist.”

Danita her debut jazz CD entitled "With Love" on the Stratosphere Music Group label that includes live and studio performances. "With Love" was released October 2005. “Fever” and “When I Fall in Love” are performed Danita-style, with intricate vocalization and stratospheric notes that make the songs her own. Original compositions “Sometime Soon” and “Wait Until the Time is Right” will keep listeners enthralled.

Danita has been featured with Trio Trés Bien for numerous large events including:

• “Faces of Love” production at Westport Playhouse
• Ozzie Smith’s retirement celebration
• St. Louis Urban League annual dinners

Shows spotlighting Danita include:

• Whitaker Jazz Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden
• Jazz shows in Laumeier Sculpture Park
• Arts in the Park in Edwardsville, Ill.

Her television appearances include feature spots on “Show Me St. Louis” and the “Fox Morning Show.” She has performed with Jazz—The Group and is featured on saxophonist Rod Tate’s CDs, “The Secret Place” and “Driven.” She has been the opening act for gospel legends Ron Winans and Tramaine Hawkins, and has been featured in cities such as: St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, Carbondale, IL and Louisville, KY.

Danita was selected as a finalist in the national 2005 Kraft Gospel Talent Search based on her vocal ability, stage presence and creativity. She was one of 10 singers selected from more than 1000 entrants. “I was honored to represent the positive message of Christ and His salvation through song—be it to one person or to thousands of people,” Danita said. “Participation in the Kraft Gospel Talent Search allowed my music ministry to reach a national audience.”

Danita’s debut gospel CD, Eternally, features 11 contemporary gospel songs, eight of which were written by Danita and husband Robert Mumphard. Recorded at the Mumphards’ own Reap Pen Studios, Eternally’s songs have four broad messages. The CD has songs of praise (“Give Him Praise”; “We Worship You”), songs of God’s empowerment to His people (“I Can Do All Things”; “No Lake, No Pit;”), songs of forgiveness and redemption (“You Still Love Me”; “The Pain is Forgotten;”), and songs of God’s power (“Eternally”; “See God’s Plan”).

Danita’s new CD, “Watch God Work,” features 15 contemporary, traditional and smooth jazz gospel songs. Original compositions “Keeps On Blessing Me” and “Worthy Is The Lamb” will keep you enthralled. Danita’s intricate vocalizations give favorites like “To Teach Me” and “The Prayer” new inspiration. “Watch God work in your life to set the stage for blessings unknown and miracles beyond measure,” she said.

Gospel and jazz aren’t worlds apart, Danita said. “Both allow for artistic expression, and both move people in indescribable ways,” she explained. “The songs I perform have positive, uplifting messages, so there is no conflict whatsoever.”

Danita, an academic adviser in the Special Services office at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, helps hundreds of students reach their academic goals each semester. She has three children: Robbie, Amarria, and Jared.