Pianist, singer and songwriter Debra Power is known for her powerhouse vocals and sparkling keyboard skills, having built a long list of performance/recording credits across Canada and in the U.S.
Debra was weaned on Big Band music growing up, her father a bandleader during the dance era. Encouraged by her parents, Debra studied piano in her youth. In high school she formed her first band, an all-girls group that played local concerts and venues. She then headed off to study music at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she majored in voice. This period also saw her launch her professional career, where she began carving her broad skill set and gaining experience in R&B and Rock & Roll bands, touring Eastern Canada.
Moving to Alberta in the late 80’s, Debra further expanded her repertoire playing in country bands and performing at feature venues such as the Calgary Stampede. She briefly returned to the Windsor/Detroit area, performing piano bars and festivals before returning to Calgary to settle down, marry and raise her daughter.
Debra’s studio work has included a solo work of original songs, gaining radio airplay on Holger Peterson’s ‘Natural Blues’ program, and on numerous radio stations in Detroit. Her playing can also be heard on several commercial advertisements.
The Calgary blues scene embraced Debra’s great talent as a solo performer and in ensembles, recording/performing in a variety of settings with Canadian greats including Tim Williams, Bill Johnson, Back Alley John and Johnny V, to name a few. She’s become a fixture on the Calgary club scene, and was a featured performer at the Calgary International Blues Festival (2011).
In 2014 Debra was honoured with the CBMA Award for Keyboard Player of the Year, and represented Southern Alberta in the Solo/Duo Category of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, in January, 2016.
Debra released her long anticipated debut release, Even Redheads Get The Blues, in early 2016.
Calgary Bluesfest 2016 features a full week of blues that culminate in 4 days & nights of non-stop music at Shaw Millienium Park followed by the nightly Twilight Blues dance parties, this family friendly event is renowned for its great music, relaxed atmosphere and warm hospitality! Visit http://www.calgarybluesfest.com/ for Festival details.
This concert is a proud co-presentation with the Calgary Bluesfest 2016 July 25-31 2016
