DEBRA LA VELLE started singing jazz in her early 20's at the Merimbula Jazz Festival.  

 

Later she joined original Funk/Soul band 'The Arc Of Bagdad', as backing vocalist with Linda Bull (The Black Sorrows) & lead vocalist Carmel Quinlan.

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She was then offered a three month contract as lead vocalist/dancer in The Sweethearts Cabaret show in Atami, Japan by choreographer Peter Stock. 

 

After returning to Melbourne, she joined original Pop/funk band 'JANZ', as backing vocalist.  In 1988 they won 'The Yamaha World Rock Competition' where they performed live on Japan TV and landed a record deal with CBS records. They performed extensively in Melbourne's known venues, appeared on various TV & radio shows, supported Womack & Womack, America, The Little River Band etc. & were part of 'The Winter Rock Tour' that travelled Australia's east coast, with Daryl Braithwaite, James Reyne & The Chantoozies. 

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In 1992 Debra worked heavily in the corporate scene with 'The Brian Fitzgerald band' (formed by ex 'Brian Cadd & The Bootleg Family' keyboardist,) as lead & backing vocalist, performing in various Melbourne hotels, function centres, & private homes.

 

In 1995 she formed 'The Debra La Velle Quartet', with clarinetist/Saxophonist Karl Hird (Zydeco Jump, The Swinging Sidewalks). They worked a seven year residency at IL Primo Wine Bar (Carlton) & various other gigs, alongside many highly respected Melbourne jazz musicians.

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In 1998 she gave birth to her daughter & took a break from late night gigs, though later furthered her study in music, composition, Cubase recording, & piano.  

 

She began writing, recording & arranging original songs with highly versatile & acclaimed guitarist Shane Ryall (Paul Williamson Hammond Combo, Bob Downe, Steve Sedergreen, Jane Clifton & Dan Hicks, USA), which in 2016 lead to the release of her self titled debut album  'Journey Of the Heart', followed by her Single releases ‘When The Nightbird Calls’ in 2019, ‘Set Me Free’ in 2020 and 'Chasing Moonbeams' in Sept 2021.

 

These recordings feature a selection of Melbourne's finest musicians, combining broad musical influences from Folk/Country/Rn'b/Gospel/Soul to Jazz.

Her beautiful heartfelt songs reveal stories of love, loss & inner strength, weaving through past & present. Debra's sweet & sultry vocals combined with a moving musical accompaniment of emotive melodies, lucid chants & rhythmic grooves have created something very special.

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She has since performed at gigs such as: Stony Creek Music festival, Newport Folk Festival, Yarraville Festival, Prahran Market, Lomond Hotel, Drunken Poet, Moldy Fig, Vamos, Lido Jazz Room, Australian Jazz Convention, Jimmy Hornet, Newport Jazz Festival,  Classic Cinemas (Elsternwick) etc. with tunes being aired on Australian radio stations such as 3RRR, 3CR, 3PBS, Fraser Coast 107.5, 98.3FM, 98.9FM, 5TripleZ, 2CBD 105.9FM, 2NSB 99.3FM, & My Country Australia Apple 98.5FM. etc.

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She continues to write new material & perform to an appreciate growing audience.