DEBBIE DUNCAN may be considered the upper Midwest's "best-kept-musical secret", but she has become a local legend and treasure in her home of Minneapolis. Her personality, vitality, and versatility all contribute to that fact. She is a terrific entertainer, and this is certainly part of her appeal. Most importantly, however, "she's a superb vocalist, probably the finest in the area/" [Bob Protzman, St. Paul Pioneer Press]
Debbie was raised in Detroit by parents steeped in jazz, and was surrounded by the vibrant sound of Motown that was sweeping the country. She also has a strong love of folk, classical, and gospel music. The combination of these influences has given her the ability to blue the lines between jazz and popular music, and to sing with a rare level of emotional conviction that draws the audience into the heart of a song. She can move from a whisper to a fever pitch in the breath of a phrase and testigy in a way that commands the listeners rapt attention. Her choice of songs reflects her background. It ranges from jazz standards by great American composers to obscure bluesy sounds [bu Oscar Brown, Jr.] to popular music [by writers like Carol King]. Always, the treatment is Debbie's alone.
Debbie hones her skills through years of experience. She studied classical voice for 14 years, including 4 years at Wayne State University. In Detroit she recorded back-up vocals for Mitch Ryder and Bob Seger. She then spent several years in the Los Angeles music scene recording back-up vocals for various artists and performing with her own jazz groups in popular nightclub settings.
Originally brought to Minneapolis by Rupert's Nightclub. This ambitious and widely popular new club featured only the strongest performers and a crack 10-piece band. Jon Bream of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune raved: "Duncan is quite simply the star of the show... she's superb on funky upbeat workouts, tender ballads and all kinds of jazz numbers; she energizes the ordinary and puts her stamp on everything she does."
She soon got noticed by the rest of the Twin Cities music community and began working extensively with her own trio. Composed of master pianist Don Stille, bassist Gary Raynor [formerly in Sammy Davis Jr's trio] and Phil Hey [one of the finest bop drummers in the Midwest], they found themselves in constant demand. Debbie has since then surrounded herself with some of the Twin Cities finest musicians creating many different sound, colors, and textures.
She started collecting awards; Best Female Jazz Vocalist, Best Jazz Vocalist, Best Female Performer, Best Jazz Group, Best Jazz CD: Minnesota Music Awards; Best Female Jazz Vocalist: Minnesota Black Music Awards.
As her reputation grew, touring musicians began to learn about her and inviting her to sit in on their performances.
SINGING AROUND THE WORLD
Debbie has sung with Bobby Watson and Horizon, Roy Hargrove, Bobby Lyle, Jack McDuff, John Hendricks, Mark Murphy, Chicago's legendary Von Freeman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Rececca Paris. She received rave reviews opening for greats such as Herbie Hancock, Stephan Grapelli, Miles Davis, Lou Rawls and Joe Henderson. She also sang on Jimmy McGriff's CD, "In a Blue Meed", where her track of Dr. Feelgood was the most-played tune on that CD.
Debbie has now expanded her musical horizons nationally to such places as the legendary "Snug Harbor" in New Orleans, "The Green Mill" in Chicago, "Bay Fest Blues Festival" in Mobile Alabama, "Alabama Blues and Jazz Federation" in Montgomery, "Black Hills Jazz Festival" in Black Hills South Dakota, the "Sioux Falls Jazz Festival" in South Dakota and the "KBEM Jazz Festival" in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Let's not leave out the Eastern area. Debbie has performed at the Baltimore Museum of Arts, Montpelier Art Museum in Laural Maryland, Studio 57 in Washington D.C., and at "Don't Tell Mama" in New York city. We certainly can't forget her being invited back two years in a row to the Latitudes Hotel in Paris, 1996-1997. Debbie performed at the Du Maurier Jazz Festival, and various other jazz cenus in Vancouver, B.C.
Duncan is a very civic-minded, conscientious person often donating her time and talents to organizations geared to helping others. She's often seen performing in benefits for AIDS, Women's Abuse, Black College Funds, Alzheimers, Senior Citizens and book giving programs for kids. She's been featured on complication discs benefiting organizations such as Camp Heartland for Kids with AIDS, and Memory Moments for Alzheimers. For the past five years she has been an instructor at Music Tech College teaching a Vocal performance workshop, helping young, upcoming performers to hone their talents.
Debbie an entertainer constantly evolving in her craft, continues to grow in her artistry. her 1995 CD release and holiday concert, performed at the renowned Guthrie Theater "proved that she just keeps getting better", Bret Robson, Star-Tribune Music Review. Her CD "Live at the Dakota" has and still is drawing much deserved attention nationally. She is also the featured vocalist on Adi Yeshaya's big band CD [Nice one for Boo]. She recently released a wonderful new CD "travelin' at the Speed of Love". Duncan is always pressing forward, digging deep into her creative energies, ever moving towards her destiny.
As word spreads even more about this talented and versatile performer, she is poised to become a major voice in American music. And she deserves to be, for she has earned the praise of those who have heard her with a constant commitment to her art. Critical phrases like "Stole the Show", "Star of the Show", "Blew away the crowd". and "No such thing as a sub par performance by the versatile Duncan" are common in her reviews.
They are responding to a rare combination on personality and vocal tanent that promises to build an expanding base of renown wherever she sings.
The CricketSoda Myspace Editor!
To purchase Debbie's Album
Visit FSmusiclabel.com
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
God had given to me in a prophetic word september 15, 2009 to tell the people to began to speak those things as though they are.......So Therefore I speak unto you Woman of God: Peace; Love; Prosperity; Humility; Strength; Obedience; Endurance; Health, Wealth; Power; A Higher Annointing and A Victorious Victory unto you and your families life. God Bless your Ministries.........I U in Christ,
BLESSING THE PLACE WITH LOVE...CHECK OUT MY FIRST MUSIC VIDEO FROM MY UPCOMING DEBUT ALBUM 'LIVE AND LOVE YOUR LIFE'!!! REQUEST AND LOOK OUT FOR IT ON YOUR LOCAL CHANNELS. COMMENT N LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...BLESSED
Just stopping bye to say hello and let you know I uploaded a new track today titled "The Game of Love" give it a listen and let me know what you think.
Hey fellow St. Paul-ians,
We'd like to spread the word about a cool new gig we have at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar in Lowertown, St. Paul. We'll be playing each Wednesday around 7PM and will be bringing in inspired bands, poets, speakers, and more, each week as guest performers with us. The first one is January 21st, and is all ages each week. Thanks! - Graham (http://www. blackdogstpaul. com/events/news-109. shtml)
Debbie, I really like "Sleepin". Your voice is sounding even better. (If that's possible) You know how to get inside a song. I play for a different crowd. I take my music into Texas prisons every weekend. Blessings to you... Mark
Im on the phone with your dada and he says: "I love you and I talked with Rosetta and she and i have to have contact and keep up the good work and lets share some ideas" says your dad. ha ha Love you debbie wild being on the phone with your pops when your friend add comes through Love Georgina xoxoxoxoxops are you on facebook
hi Debbie yeah! great jazz here... amazing voice welcome & thx for friendship when you have a goodtime please enjoy listen to my pianosolo improvisations or afro jazz tunes... best regards lovely Pampa Pavesi
U in Christ, 
