You may have heard us playing songs from Debbie Curtis over the last few weeks – but who is Debbie? We caught up with her to find out more about her life and passion for music.
Tell us a little bit about your yourself?
I’ve been a musician all my life! My Dad (and Joe Cocker) taught me piano from age 4, and that was it, I was hooked. Over time I’ve worked with a real mix of famous (and not so famous) singers, musicians and celebs!
My Dad Eddie was a well known Trombonist, Big Band Leader and Music Arranger and my Mum Joy was a session singer on Radio & TV.
My first recording experience and helping us out on guitar and providing the studio, was the Late, Great, Alvin Lee of ‘Ten Years After’.
I have recorded and released solo and with The Gangsters of The Groove, D-Ranged’, Jerome Flynn, Hazel O’Connor, Kerry Ellis, Janey Lee Grace, David Van Day, Carol Royle, Jenny Seagrove, Anneka Svenska, Macka B, Jared Paul, Sue Moxley, Owen Paul, Vince Hill, Liza Goddard, Polly Browne, Ellie Harrison, Alexandra Bastedo, Pola Pospieszalska, Sarah-Jane Honeywell, Chris Baker, Glenn Tilbrook plus many more and of course The Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band & Swing Orchestra!
I run a Big Band, it’s a very different style of singing and dress code, I really enjoy it! I am also intrigued by the history of Big Band Swing, the Band Leaders and the musicians.
After music, my next big love is Animals, I currently have 2 Great Danes, Dana & Goofy, 2 cats, 2 Tortoise and 4 Turtles!
I have studied Music & Fine Art. I have also studied The Psychology of Criminal Profiling, which has given me great food for thought when it comes to writing lyrics!
More recently I have been adding music for TV and Films into my workload, I spend a lot of time at Pinewood Studios and have co-produced and co-written the music for a comedy series pilot episode History of the World.
When did you first start to develop a passion for music?
As a child, I was surrounded by musicians, so my influences are extremely varied. Our house, and next door, (also musicians), was regularly full of people making all kinds of music. What I was oblivious to, was that a great many of them were extremely famous! I look back now and think ‘wow’ but back then it just seemed the norm.
Which artists did you listen to while growing up?
Because both my parents were in the music industry, I was surrounded by a variety of music, such as Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Elvis, The Beatles, Queen, Abba, B.B King, Billy Joel, Bob Marley, Dire Straits, Dolly Parton, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, The Pogues, The Police, Status Quo, UB40 and Van Halen.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard you before?
Really quirky. Catchy. Bonkers. Good. Unique. I don’t fit into any particular genre. I play anything from reggae, jazz, pop, rap, country, rock, all sorts, really.
What music have you recorded and released to date?
“Ringstone Round”, “Tom Tom Strut”, “Pirate Cove”, “Cashback”, “Nightmare”, “PC World”, “Concrete Jungle Wrap”, “Merry Christmas”, “Blitzkrieg Baby”, “All The Same”, “Talk To The Animals”, “History of The World”, “Imbote”.
There are four Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band albums, two titles being – “Indian Love Call” and “Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band – The Mistress of Swing”.
Also singles – “Charlie So Good”, “Anything Can Shake Your Tree” and “Funky Bones”.
Also, three more albums with the title – “Debbie Curtis & D-Ranged”. Two more singles are – “Ringstone Round” (Variation) and “Spirit Of Life”.
Finally, four albums titled “Wanted”, “Captured”, Released” and “History” all written for the Cool Curzon Cafe Orchestra, which I run.
Which artists do you enjoy listening to at the moment – and do they influence your work?
I’m too busy to listen to other artists now, but do listen to the car radio, though none of the artists played are of any major influence. The main influences are outside the music industry – my family and friends plus the animals I have, all offer up great song writing material.
Who would your dream collaboration be with?
Frank Sinatra and Etta James. Debbie Curtis.
What are your plans for the future?
Continue to record and release one single and video per month. Also, to bring out an album annually. Next to that, the continuation of involving my two great danes – ‘Dana and ‘Goofy’ in all my recordings.
Where can we find out more about you?
You can find me on my official website at www.debbiecurtis.net and I am also on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Spotify, LinkedIn and TikTok.
