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Debra Mann

Jazz vocalist/pianist/composer/Whaling City Sound recording artist

About Me

Debra Mann is a Whaling City Sound recording artist. Her newest recording, Full Circle, the music of Joni Mitchell, features the mega-talents of Dino Govoni, Jay Azzolina, Dave Zinno, and Marty Richards. She has released three recordings on her own record label, Jobe Records. “From the Heart” was nominated “Best local recording” by the Providence Phoenix. “A Time for Love” was released to a sold out concert at Chan’s, and “Home” was placed on the Official Ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards in several categories.

Debra Mann is widely recognized as Rhode Island’s premier jazz pianist and vocalist. She graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music. Since graduating from Berklee, Debra has performed extensively as a solo artist and in group settings throughout the New England area at venues of all sizes, including jazz clubs, concert halls, and festivals, while sharing the stage with many well known artists.

In 1990 she established the Debra Mann Jazz Trio, which has since been expanded to a quintet featuring world-class musicians, performing American jazz standards, Brazilian jazz, original compositions, and specialty concerts featuring the music of iconic singer/songwriter, Joni Mitchell, Brazilian composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and jazz pianist/composer, Dave Frishberg.

Debra has performed at Symphony Hall, Boston, as a featured guest soloist with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. She also had the distinct honor of performing at the request of Frank Sinatra.

Debra is a passionate Jazz educator. She is a member of the Jazz Education Network, as well as the Providence Musicians Union. She is in demand as a jazz voice and piano teacher. She is on the faculty at Brown University and Wheaton College. She is a certified teacher in Somatic VoiceWork, the LoVetri Method. Her approach to teaching is holistic, encompassing technique, theory, repertoire, improvisation, composition, arranging, performance techniques, and helping students discover and develop their own personal style.