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Thornetta Davis

Crowned “Detroit’s Queen of the Blues” in 2015, Thornetta Davis a multi-talented International Singer and Songwriter from Detroit MI, USA is the Winner of over 30 Detroit Music Awards, including sweeping the 2017 and 2018 DMA’S. Thornetta has been exciting and wowing audiences all over the world. Her voice is strong, commanding, melodic and smooth. She tells her stories with incredible delivery and leaves her audiences wanting more. Backed by her great band of Detroit Musicians.

She first gained attention in 1987 when she became back up singer for the Detroit soul band “Lamont Zodiac and The Love Signs”. Shortly after, the lead singer left the band and the name changed to “The Chisel Brothers featuring Thornetta Davis”. In 1996 Thornetta recorded her first solo album “Sunday Morning Music” on the Seattle based label “Sub Pop” which received a rave revue in the national Entertainment Weekly magazine. Her song “Cry” from that album was featured on the HBO hit “The Sopranos”.

Thornetta has opened for legendary blues and R&B greats such as Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Johnnie Johnson and many more…her history is extensive and her performances are memorable…like the time she opened for Bonnie Raitt at Michigan’s Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz festival in 1992. Bonnie asked Thornetta to join her and Katie Webster (queen of the swamp boogie) for an encore song which received a standing ovation.

In 1999 Thornetta brought down the house with her astounding performance at the “Lillith Fair” at Michigan’s Pine Knob Music Theatre hosted by Sarah Mclachlan…that same evening she attended the “Detroit Music Awards” where she proudly accepted 2 of the over 30 Music Awards that she has won over the last 20 years for “Best R&B/ Blues vocalist” and “Best R&B Group”.

In 2000 Thornetta opened the VH1 Vogue fashion awards at Madison Square Garden with Detroit phenomenon Kid Rock. New York’s star-studded event captured Detroit’s “Princess of the Blues” in all her glory!
 In 2001 Thornetta Davis is inducted into the Detroit Music Hall of Fame! Thornetta performed on Wednesday nights for 7 years at one of Detroit’s favorite live music venues “The Music Menu” located in Greektown in downtown Detroit until it’s closing in 2003. Three years before that final Wednesday, Thornetta recorded a live performance on one magical night at the “Menu” and called it “Thornetta Davis covered Live at the Music Menu”. This CD is a collection of Thornetta’s most requested cover tunes. The magic comes through and touches you and makes you feel like you’re right there watching her as she takes you on a spiritual journey to the depths of her soul. “Thornetta Davis covered Live at the Music Menu” won “Best R&B/ Blues Recording” at the Detroit Music Awards 2002.

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Album Review

Thornetta Davis: Honest Woman

Read "Honest Woman" reviewed by James Nadal


Twenty years might seem like a long time in between records, but for blues singer Thornetta Davis, it's always been about getting it right. Started to sing at age fifteen, joined several bands as vocalist, released Sunday Morning Music in 1996. Fast forward to today and Honest Woman reveals Davis as a mature, commanding vocalist, introspective composer, and demanding producer. Long before Motown, Detroit had an illustrious history associated with the blues going back to the days of Hastings Street, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Honest Woman

Self Produced
2017

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Shout Out

Unknown label
1994

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