Deborah Davis

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.

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, HAL PRINCE MUSIC , VALI MUSIC and many other NY Area Special Events Bands. 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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