Deborah Swiney

Deborah Swiney has definitely earned the title of a true chanteuse. Throughout her performance, you get to experience and enjoy a trip back to the Harlem Renaissance to experience the iconic era of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and many other legendary jazz vocalists, dance across the Great American Songbook, and a flight to Rio for some smooth and relaxing Bossa Nova. Being a native of Memphis, you might even get a splash of blues.

Deborah’s love for music started at an early age with piano lessons and being active in music, whether in church or school. Growing up in a musical family, music had no borders. There were influences from various genres, including the music of Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers, Elvis Presley and B.B. King, all mixed together, not to mention classical music in the house, having a Memphis Symphony Orchestra bassoonist for a big brother.

Being on the local music scene, Deborah eventually landed a position as a backup vocalist for legendary Al Green, during the ‘90s, which led to an international touring experience, along with performances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and many others.

That was then and this is now. Deborah is deep into Memphis’ jazz scene, and performs weekly as the house vocalist for Mollie Fontaine Lounge, an old swanky unique two-story mansion located in the historical Victorian Village, and filled with a mix of fancy chairs and love seats, perfect for relaxing and listening to good music while sipping on a cocktail.

On November 17th, Deborah is scheduled to release her debut album, “I Remember Rio”, which is Brazilian based, filled with classic Bossa Nova standards written by Brazilian composers, including songs composed by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim, with the exception of two originals, “Bossa Nova Casanova”, written by Deborah and the title song, “I Remember Rio”, written by guitarist/song writer, Ed Finney. Deborah’s debut album is off the beaten path of a typical jazz album, along with a sophisticated style that’s relaxing, entertaining and may have you swaying from side to side.