Thanks for checking out my site, and here's a little about me.

I've been in and out of the Cincinnati music scene since 1980 and I'm proud to work with some of the most talented, most seasoned musicians in the area. From a mellow jazz trio for background music to a full blues-rock band or somewhere in between, we can tailor our sound for your event. I've been told I remind people of such varied artists as Bette Midler, Carole King and Janis Joplin. I don't know, I think it depends on who's in the band that night, what songs we do, or how my hair looks.

People who have been around the Cincinnati area for a while may remember me as the keyboard player/singer with The Warsaw Falcons, of which I was a founding member in 1982. After that I sang with different groups, usually with Moxie in the name, which was short for my last name, Moxness. Life kind of got in the way of musical endeavors for awhile, but I did manage to release a cd with the bluesy/jazzy  Moxie Band in 2015. My husband and guitar player, Jim Lawson, suffered many serious health issues beginning in 2018. Sadly he left this world in 2024. Six years of caregiving and two years of trying to rebuild my life has left little time for music. Now in 2026 I am starting to get back to it, usually with Mike Barrett on piano, and various other players. Lately I have been sitting in with him and Ben Duke on guitar at Brew River Creole Kitchen the last Wednesday of the month.

People sometimes ask if Donna Rose is my real name. Yes it is, at least part of it. Counting all names I would be Donna Rose Marie Moxness Lawson. Some might remember me as Donna Moxness, others as Donna Lawson. If you want to get technical about it, I was actually baptized Madonna!

Please reach out  and let us provide just the right bluesy jazzy ambience for your club, restaurant or event.

Thanks for visiting.