Guest Artist - Debbie Duncan

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.

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.

PipJazz Youth Artist - Jack Breen