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Debo Ray is a Grammy-nominated musician and Berklee Assistant Professor who has been making waves around the world for many years. Born and raised in Boston to Haitian immigrant parents, Debo was seen as an outcast, in her youth, by her peers for not being black enough, cool enough, or Haitian enough. This, in turn, led to a lot of bullying during her youth. But music became a source of solace and empowerment for Debo. It allowed her to explore different worlds and be herself without judgment. She embraced anime and otaku culture as a form of self-expression which led her to discover the power of rock and jazz music as a form of rebellious expression, eventually inspiring her to start a band with some of her friends, quickly gaining popularity in the local scene.
Debo went on to attend the Handel and Haydn Society Vocal Apprenticeship Program in Boston, then obtained her diploma in opera voice from the New England Conservatory Prep School. She later completed her undergraduate degree in vocal performance and classical composition at Berklee College of Music.
A composer at heart, she is best known for the unique way she embraces and expresses the music she creates, as well as for her style of blending theory with emotion in her performances. A spirited and cooperative collaborator, Debo Ray has shared stages with multiple Grammy award winners, including Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez, Terri Lyne Carrington, and more. She is also a well-known session vocalist worldwide. As a vocal arranger for Women of the World and lead singer of Terri Lyne Carrington's band, Social Science, and Screaming Headless Torsos, among others, Debo has toured internationally and performed at top venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Newport Jazz Festival.
Today, Debo Ray believes her mission is to spread the joy of music without compromising skill and nuance. She aims to create a sound that feels both relatable and universal while not confining her convictions to create and release what feels right. She is currently in the studio working on her career under her own name. Her solo debut single, and a summer banger, Filly, is available now.
