DEBORAH
DAVIS is a gifted singer and consummate performer with a
warm angelic yet sultry voice that has captivated and seduced
audiences throughout the world. Poet, lyricist, actress, artist,
dancer, teacher, and athlete, the basics of her multi faceted
character hasn’t altered much since she was chosen most
versatile class favorite in high school. But it is her singing
that makes one really take notice. Be it jazz, classical, gospel,
pop, country, R&B, hip-hop or commercial jingles, you name
it, she has been asked to sing it at one time or another, and
has accepted each challenge developing a personal motto, “If
there’s gigs to be, I’m gigging ‘em. She can do it all and make
it look easy, but her chosen repertoire consist of a wide selection
of familiar, and obscure jazz standards that outline her life's
experiences, including love ballads, blues, latin, and whimsical
swing tunes. Constantly working on the New York, European &
Asian jazz scenes has given Deborah Davis a sophisticated
poise that is tempered with sensitivity and grace. Her natural
flowing charm, obvious talents, charisma, and flawless stage
presence draw you into her show. Amongst her colleagues,
she’s developed a reputation as a hard swinging, hip tempo setting
singer as she plays around with rhythmic & melodic improvisations.
Amongst critics she’s also know for seducing her audiences with
a ballad. Deborah sings with a pure honesty that will strike
emotions deep within the core of your being.
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| "she
tells her stories with a disciplined personal passion,
immediacy, and mosaic of textures that are so compelling,
you can still hear her after the music stops" |
| - Nat Hentoff |
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| "...from Texas, with style...
this self assured singer ...shows solid chops in all
ranges, has a sparkling well articulated attack,
and a natural flowing charm." |
| - N.Y.
NEWSDAY |
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| "Deborah Davis seduces her audiences." |
| - EL CORREO GALLEGO,
Spain |
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| "Miss Davis has a strong voice
that can be richly colored, particularly in the lower
register." |
| - New York
Times |
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A native of Dallas, Texas, Deborah grew up in a time where
she was surrounded by little Debbie's. Striving for her
own independence she dropped the last three letters of her name
and has since been affectionately know as Debo to family and
friends. Although not from a musical family, Deborah has been
singing practically as long as she's been talking. Growing up
without a stereo in the house she listened most often to the
music of her own soul. She felt like singing, so she sang, and
sang, and sang. Before long it became more than what she did.
Singing became who she was. With no one to emulate and a no
real musical influences, Deborah developed her own style of
singing, and created her own opportunities to sing. She’d
sing in church, local gospel ensembles, school talent shows,
beauty contest, commercial jingles and, party bands. Her
first inspirations towards a jazz career were when her high
school choir director and mentor, ROBERT SANDERS added her to
his weekend jazz gigs. From that time on there was never a question
as to what her vocation would be. Her only task was to
gain formal training. Armed with pure determination and
raw talent, Deborah earned a BACHELOR OF MUSIC EDUCATION DEGREE
in vocal studies from NORTH TEXAS UNIVERSITY and subsequently
an ASSOCIATE ARTS DEGREE in RECORDING ENGINEERING at CEDAR VALLEY
COLLEGE. In addition, she studied acting and dance at EL CENTRO
COLLEGE. Singing her way through college Deborah was already
a permanent fixture on the Dallas jazz scene when she finished
school. She had gained invaluable experience leading her
own jazz bands, and opening for artist like BOBBI HUMPHREY,
DEBRA LAWS and ANGELA BOFILL. Deborah also showcased her
singing, acting, and dancing talents in local theater productions
of THE WIZ, PORGY AND BESS, DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, and
her leadership skills as production manager in ZOOMAN AND THE
SIGN.
Her musical development brought her to
New York City in 1986, where she has settled in, and carved
out a niche for herself on the jazz scene, as well as managed
to continued theater work with performances in BEEHIVE (Japan
tour), ONE MO TIME (NYC) and SH-BOOM (NYC). Deborah's distinct
style of phrasing, extraordinary singing ability and professionalism
has earned her invitations to perform with legendary jazz greats
RAY BROWN, LIONEL HAMPTON and CLARK TERRY, as well as an rare
opportunity to substitute for ABBEY LINCOLN. In
addition, FREDDIE HUBBARD, ART BLAKEY, LOU DONALDSON and HAROLD
MABERN have all shared their stage with Deborah occasionally
inviting her to jam. She’s lead bands featuring many of New
York’s young lions of jazz such a DELFEAYO MARSALIS, JAMES WILLIAMS,
BENNY GREEN, CYRUS CHESTNUT, MARC CARY, CHRISTIAN MC BRIDE,
PETER WASHINGTON, RON AFFIF, RUSSELL MALONE, JEFF WATS, GREG
HUTCHINSON, BRIAN BLADE, and too many others to name. Her performances
have generated rave reviews from the NEW YORK TIMES, NEW YORK
NEWSDAY, and the AMSTERDAM NEWS. She has sung on the stages
of very well established jazz clubs, concert halls and festivals
including THE BLUE NOTE, BIRDLAND, VILLAGE VANGUARD, SWEET
BASIL, THE FIVE SPOT, TAVERN ON THE GREEN, THE RAINBOW ROOM,
WINDOWS OF THE WORLD, MT.FUJI JAZZ FEST., and for dignitaries
at the UNITED NATIONS & U.S. EMBASSY affairs including a
performance for PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. The world is her
playground as she continues to gain international recognition
during extensive tours annually of Europe, and Asia. She has
performed with THE SHIRELLS Singapore Tour, STEVEN SCOTT ORCHESTRAS,
HANK LANE ORCHESTRAS, THE SUPPER CLUB ORCHESTRA, and presently
BUD MALTIN MUSIC. In addition, Deborah has formed her own company
MANHATTAN MUSIC DESIGN booking, contracting and performing for
many of New York’s Elite Social Functions & Corporate Events.
Deborah Davis is also an indie recording artist with her own
label GOT MY OWN RECORDS. Striving to be a well rounded person,
Deborah proudly adds to her list of life accomplishment a 26.2
mile fundraising marathon for the LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY
(which she completed), and ongoing annual benefit concerts at
New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, to raise funds for that cause.
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