Debby Boland Watt

Artist Information

Biography

Debby's journey began in Chicago and later took her to Washington State where she began her vocal studies at Western Washington State University. After two years she moved to California; joining several music groups that toured across the lower 48 and Alaska, Canada and Western Europe. For the next 25 years, she worked as a vocal performer, choral director, studio musician.

In 2007 Debby graduated Cum Laude from Cornish College of the Arts in vocal jazz, later attending Goddard College, earning her Master of Fine Arts-Interdisciplinary Arts degree in Performance Art / Vocal Improvisational & Compositional Studies. Currently, she teaches Improvisation at Tacoma's School of the Arts (S.O.T.A.) and from her private studio in Tacoma, WA. Debby is a strong vocalist, performance artist, composer and master teacher whose unique musical vision embraces jazz, a cappella circle singing, improvisation and spoken word.

Ms. Watt has performed with Bobby McFerrin, The Boston Pops, Tacoma Symphony Choir, Julian Priester, Denny Gore and Jerry Granelli, to name a few. Under the tutelage of Meredith Monk's Ensemble, Pauline Oliveros, Rhiannon(music), Greta Matassa, Jay Clayton, Dee Daniels, Madeline Eastman, Nancy King, Rebecca Paris and Kurt Elling her intuitive jazz and improvisational skills have flourished, making her an engaging musical treat for any audience.

Instrumentation

Some of my favorite band members: Kareem Kandi ~ Sax, Hans Brehmer ~ Piano, Josh Rawlings ~ Piano, Chuck Kistler ~ Bass, Larry Holloway ~ Bass, Mark Ivester ~ Drums

Discography

"Conversation Series"

Official Website

http://debbywatt.com

Links

• MySpace
• CDBaby
• Reverbnation

Audio

• You And The Night
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• Teach Me Tonight
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• All or Nothing at All
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• These Foolish Things Duet
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• This Bitter Earth
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• I Fall In Love To Easily
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• It's Impossible
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Debby Watt performed a signature performance at the Upstage to a great crowd... [+ Show ]
  

  Debby Watt performed a signature performance at the Upstage, to a great crowd. Her band of North...
  Debby Watt performed a signature performance at the Upstage, to a great crowd. Her band of Northwest jazz talents was well integrated into Debby's performance of jazz, pop, folk standards, and more. Her program was deliberately adventurous and very well received. In a jazz world secure, safe, and often dull with standards, Debby's delivery was truly unique and very pleasing.
  
  ~ Mark
  Manager/Owner of the Upstage Restaurant
  Port Townsend, WA

• Debby's beautiful voice and improvisational skills were on display tonight... [+ Show ]
  

  Debby's beautiful voice and improvisational skills were on display as she created lyrical, interesti...Debby's beautiful voice and improvisational skills were on display as she created lyrical, interesting music from lines delivered to her only moments before. Her crystal-clear delivery drew listeners into her world and her performance evoked strong emotions, as it delighted the audience. Debby’s wry humor and maturity infused her music with intelligence and grace, as she took full advantage of the excellent accompanists. The trio's performance was truly outstanding. One guest later wrote, "There was more talent gathered in your home tonight, than at any other venue in Tacoma. We felt privileged to be there."
  
  ~ Ross Singleton
  Professor and Chair of Economics
  University of Puget Sound
  
  

• Debby Watt graces the Cornish jazz scene... [+ Show ]
  

  No doubt it will be some time before someone as fresh and beguiling as Debby Watt graces the Cornish...No doubt it will be some time before someone as fresh and beguiling as Debby Watt graces the Cornish jazz scene again! It was, simply put, a stellar performance. The versatility of her work, ran the gamut from a medley of familiar love songs, spontaneous composition, vocal impersonation only to be capped off by her final piece "Stand Down"; full of powerful inspirational poetry about patriotism-gone-awry. Debby demonstrated a remarkable breadth of creative ability and a performance style that was as dexterous as it is entertaining. Her melodic and harmonic intonation was flawless throughout the performance; her voice rose and fell, sustained and percussed, wooed and challenged all quite effortlessly. With warm personable conversation she thread her musical pearls together. Likewise, the ‘Exhalted Trio’ of musicians who accompanied her matched the caliber of this gifted vocalist and the result was sublime. What a gift unleashed in the Pacific Northwest Jazz scene. All I can say is, "Where’s the next gig Debby!"
  
  ~ Veronica Schmitt
  Musician, Landscape Artist
  Author of "The Mythistorical Garden"
  

• Debby Watt came on stage in a black sexy dress... [+ Show ]
  

  Debby Watt came out on stage in a black sexy dress looking a lot like she did in the seventies with ...Debby Watt came out on stage in a black sexy dress looking a lot like she did in the seventies with long straight blonde hair; shapely and unaged except for maturity and experience. Four band members, who seemed more than happy to be playing that evening, entered with her through the curtain. She brought her authentic self to her audience. We were amazed, delighted and honored to be there. She demonstrated her versatility as a vocal artist, able to sing the classics in a very classic way and to create her own style as an artist. I loved this performance. It was truly a gift to those who attended and a wonderful honoring of her life and accomplishments as a singer and human. My 25 years old son, who accompanied me, is a dance performer professionally. Because of Debby’s beautiful and inspiring performance, he has decided to apply to Cornish College of the Arts.
  
  ~ Kelly Doran ~
  Broadway Center for the Performing Arts
  Tacoma, Washington
  

Setlist

Any and all Jazz tunes desired.

Improvisational pieces developed on-the-spot, making the event unique and personal.

Instrumental compositions depending on situation and clients needs.

Basic Requirements

Calendar