We had the good fortune of connecting with Debo Ray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Debo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been singing and performing for many years. Most of my work as an adult as been part of other people’s projects. I have cultivated the ability to sing in a wide range of styles which has caused people to reach out to me to be a part of their projects. This has been a good thing in many ways as it’s allowed me to gain experience both as a performer and also to see what’s entailed on the business side of music. However, over time I realized that I would never be fully recognized as an artist in the way I wanted unless I took the leap into being a solo performer with my own original repertoire. I have always wanted to be a featured artist and felt I had the talent and ability to pull it off. Part of me was reluctant as, let’s face it, it’s easier to be part of someone else’s project and have them do all the work that goes into creating and touring. But I eventually realized that I would have to make the effort to do that work for myself or I’d never achieve my dream of success as a solo artist. So, here I go!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been drawn to singing and music in general for as long as I can remember. My parent’s influence probably has a lot to do with that. Music was always a big part of the church services my family attended and they would have me sing when I was as young as four. Later, at age 11, I got a scholarship for the Handel & Haydn Society of Boston Vocal Apprenticeship Program where I was trained in the classical tradition. I fell so deeply in love with singing and knew in my heart that it’s what I HAD to pursue, but it wasn’t until high school that I decided to take the leap and apply to Berklee College of Music. At age 17, I got in!!!

My experience at Berklee was a huge step forward for me. Having been primarily classically trained, the exposure to jazz, pop, rock and hip hop at Berklee was eye-opening to say the least. I immersed myself in every opportunity and became known as one of the top singers in my class. I worked and practiced and studied non-stop, often sleeping wherever I could in order to spend as much time singing, recording and performing as I could. Today, people say what I do looks easy but they don’t realize how hard I had to work to get to this point.

After singing with many great bands and playing some of the top venues all over the world, including the Newport and Monterey Jazz festivals, Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, I am finally listening to the advice of many of my colleagues who have urged me to pursue my own career as a solo artist!

I’ve been writing and recording new material for the past year and a half and have released two original singles, entitled Filly and COPE. We also filmed an epic video for COPE. I’ve got 3 more singles ready to release later this year, In the meantime, I’ve got a Residency at The Regent Theatre in the Boston area and am doing five separate shows over the course of 2023.

Oh yeah, and I’ll be performing in an opera entitled “The Jonah People” with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in April of this year. I’m still playing with my other collaborations, namely Terri Lyne Carrington’s Social Science and David Fiuczynski’s Screaming Headless Torsos. So, lots going on and I’m super excited about it all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My friends understand that I am a bit of a “homebody”, but that doesn’t keep me from going out to enjoy myself and time with friends. Boston has so many live music venues that cater to a range of styles, and I’m especially fond of the Red Room at Berklee, the Burren in Somerville, and the Regent Theater in Arlington – all of which I’ve performed at and appreciated the care they’ve given me as a performer as well as a patron. Aside from music, I’d take someone to my gym of choice, Blick Fitness in Medford, to work up a good sweat. I’m also a foodie, and there are LOADS of places we could go to: the North End has some of the best restaurants in town.That said, my homebody self would probably just keep a friend at home to watch some more anime and laugh it up!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that deserve credit. To all of my collaborators, David “Fuze” Fiuczynski for giving me the space to embrace all to my vocal colors, Terri Lyne Carrington for trusting me with her grand vision in social justice music, Hal Crook for his compassion and hard knocks teaching style. To my parents for tirelessly supporting me and embracing my musical pursuits. To my management team Anna Martins and Jerry Velona for helping me to see the bigger picture and shooting for the skies. To my bandmates for their emphatic, earth shattering artistry. Most importantly – to my fans! I couldn’t do what I do without their never ending support.

Website: http://www.iamdeboray.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamdeboray/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAmDeboRay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmDeboRay

Image Credits
Holy Smoke Photography Deborah Karson Photography

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