Sydney based vocalist-songwriter Debra
Blaquiere has earned a reputation as an independent artist winning over
local fans with her uncanny ability to stake new claims on contemporary
pop tunes, and interpretations of gorgeous jazz standards. She is a
product of our time, and plays respectful homage to those who have
influenced her such as Doris Day, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole Trio and
the composers both pop and jazz of great American songwriters Irving
Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Joni Mitchell,
Antonio Carlos Jobim, Burt Bacharach and many more.
Debra was born in England to a
guitar-playing father Clifton Jarvis Blaquiere "Toni" who had played
with the "Duke" and continued playing a residency in a Pub in Shepherds
Bush London. After completing a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie and
Jazz Vocal Studies at the Access Centre Conservatorium of Music Sydney
Debra decided it was time to get out there on the Sydney Jazz scene and
landed at Move Records Melbourne.
Debra has previously recorded two singles
This Time We Say Good-bye (1999) and Love's Dance with a
very moving 5/4 piano solo played by the song's composer Jeremy
Challender (2001), and one independent full-length album Getting to
Know Me (2001).
Debra has a smooth and warm vocal
quality. She displays a wonderful emotional sensibility to her fresh
interpretations of jazz, pop, folk, blues, musical theatre and rock
influences, as well as her own original compositions.
"In writing songs first comes the
experience right out of life. Then my emotions will dictate where the
song will go. Or it may start with a melody not always composed by me. I
will then link that to a personal experience. When it comes down to
actual interpretation by players I no longer own the song. It takes on a
new form and personality. I like that a lot. I never interfere with this
process."
Debra Blaquiere
Debra wrote the lyrics for
Love's Dance and this was entered into
the 24th National Songwriting Contest in 2003. It was the
winner
of the Jazz/Blues category.
|
Photo courtesy of John Longworth
 |
