Debbie Gifford has been nominated for "Jazz Band of the Year" for the 8th Annual Free Times Music Awards for 2007. Additionally, she was nominated for "Jazz Band of the Year "in 2006 and  "Vocalist of the Year "in 2005, “Gifford’s voice is both smooth and engulfing, wrapping itself around every note and mesmerizing the listener with subtle charm” John Benson, Entertainment Correspondent.  “ Her sensual style of phrasing and timing are the very essence of her creativity.  Debbie is spellbinding - she holds the audience in the palm of her hand”  

Debbie appears in many of the top jazz clubs and concert venues in the United States and Europe and is currently on her “2007 Love Songs Tour” promoting her CD release “So Many Songs About Love”and soon to be released double CD "Open Airs".  The performances include jazz concerts in Chicago, St.Louis, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City, as well as, in the European countries of Italy, France and Spain. Not only an international vocalist and composer, but she is the leader and arranger for her own jazz ensemble “Debbie Gifford & The Best in Jazz.” and her big band "Debbie Gifford's Sweet City Swing". She performs all styles of music including Ballads, Swing, Latin and Rhythm & Blues. She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance.  

  2007 brings many new venues for this rising star  including a performance in February at the famous Birdland Jazz Club in New York City with Tommy Igoe and The Birdland Big Band.  During her European concert tour of  2006 Debbie debuted in the "6th Annual Festival  International de Musique en Catalogne - Ceret"(France). She recently returned from her 2007 European Concert tour where she  performance in the “7^th Annual Festival International de Musique in Catalogne – Ceret”, "Amphitheatre Concert" - Le Boulou, "Le Centre du Monde" - Official CD Presentation- Perpignan," Cour du Palais des Roi Majorque "(Palace of the King of Majorca)- Perpignan and  recorded her newest release, a double CD set "Open Airs" which she recorded live with Jean Pierre Abed- vocals & piano, Roger Hines- bass, Stephane Rocagel - drums,  Gaby Marini- electric bass, Aurelien Marini - guitar and Daniel Brun-cello. The CD will debut in October of 2007 in Perpignan, France.  She also performed at " Le Bigaro" - Ceret, France in a special concert  with world renowned  saxophonist Gilad Atzmon.

  February of 2006 began with her concert performance at the Allen Theatre in the Playhouse Square Theatre complex in Cleveland, Ohio. Debbie and her jazz orchestra performed a 45-minute opening concert for the  “ Rat Pack Tribute” from Las Vegas.  

  In November of 2005, Debbie had her debut performance with the renowned Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.  Under the musical direction of trumpeter Jack Schantz, Debbie appeared as the orchestra’s special guest vocalist. During the concert the CJO premiered Paul Ferguson's  big band vocal arrangement of Debbie’s composition “So Many Songs About Love”.   In addition, the song appears as the title track of her newest CD “So Many Songs About Love” which was released in Hollywood, CA. In October of 2005 Gifford, performer/composer, was invited to represent the genre of American Jazz in the  “GALA – A Celebration of Women in Jazz” concert at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, California.  The concert was the feature musical event of the World Forum on Music Conference, which attracted an audience of delegates from all over the world.   

  November of 2004 Debbie performed in Italy in the concert series Foundazione Adkins Chiti:“Donne in Musica:ControCanto -Donne in Jazz” (Women in Jazz).   She is one of only two American women musician/composers selected from over 300 proposals of jazz musicians from the United States and around the world. The concerts were performed at the Auditorium Scuderie Aldobrandini, Palazzo Aldobrandini (Castle Aldobrandini)-Frascati, Italy and Aula Magna of the Universita di Roma (University of Rome).  In July of 2004, she was the featured jazz vocalist for the summer concert tour “JAZZ DIVA’S - Swing, Ladies, Swing” which toured Ohio and New York.  Joining her on tour were two members of the world-renowned all women DIVA Jazz Orchestra: Sherrie Maricle, DIVA leader and drummer and Karolina Strassmayer, DIVA saxophonist.    In May of 2004, Debbie directed and performed in  “A Celebration of Women in Jazz” as part of the PUMC concert series, she returned to the series in 2005 “ International Women in Music “ with her special guest NYC jazz pianist Linda Presgrave, and 2006 concert series “Celebration of Women in Music” with NYC jazz vocalist Judi Silvano and special guest world- renowned saxophonist Joe Lovano.

  In March of 2001, she premiered her first CD, You Taught My Heart to Sing at the world-renowned “Night Town” jazz club. The compact disc is currently played in the United States as well as, France, Austria, Greece, Canada, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands and Russia.   

When DEBBIE GIFFORD pours her heart and soul into a song … people listen.  Debbie sings from her heart and anyone who has heard her emotional and expressive delivery would agree.  “I feel the music deep in my heart, and I love to share this with my audience” she smiles.  This raven-haired songbird captivates audiences with her sensual and emotional delivery of timeless standards. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Gifford had a natural affinity for music.  She began her musical career at the age of four when she got her first taste of show business.  As the audience sat in total silence, her pure sweet voice carried into the audience, touching hearts and bringing a tear to the eye.  The applause was overwhelming and she has never stopped touching hearts with her music. Debbie has a vocal gift and is able to blend many different styles into her own unique sound.

For Booking Information:   (440) 413-7386 (USA) or debbie@debbiegifford.com