MEET DEBO RAY
Debo Ray is a Grammy-nominated singer and composer who makes music that’s full of joy and realness.
Growing up in the Boston area with Haitian immigrant parents, Debo often felt like she didn’t fit anywhere. Not Haitian enough, not American enough, not Black enough … Music became her safe place, a world where she could be herself without limits.
She began performing at the age of four, singing alongside her parents in Haitian churches across the US. It was that early start that laid the foundation for a lifetime of musical exploration. Debo trained at the Handel and Haydn Society Vocal Apprenticeship Program and the New England Conservatory Prep School, focusing on opera and classical voice. She went on to study vocal performance and classical composition at Berklee College of Music, where she perfected her vocal range and adaptability. Over time, she developed what she calls sound weaving — the art of blending melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture to create something truly moving and unique.
Now, Debo’s voice can do just about anything. And she uses it to do just that. She sings in five different bands, performing in 37 languages. She has collaborated with Grammy-winning artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, and Terri Lyne Carrington. She has performed on legendary stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Hollywood Bowl.
In a full-circle moment, Berklee came knocking and invited Debo to join the faculty. She is now a professor in the voice department, busy guiding the next generation of artists while continuing to evolve in her creative work.
Beyond music, Debo has found strength and grounding through bodybuilding, which has helped her to reconnect with her body and mind when things feel tough. For her, the gym is a little world where people clear their heads, move with intention and build discipline. All qualities that she carries into her life and music.
Now focused on writing and recording music that reflects her full artistic vision, Debo Ray’s clear mission is to offer listeners a sense of release and music that brings joy. She’s been writing songs that feel true to her, and bit by bit, it’s all coming together.
"This album marks a change in my creative life. After many years of interpreting the music of others, I decided to put my life, in all its complexity, out there in hopes that others might feel some of the same things and we could connect, and maybe I could bring some joy and peace. It's been a bit daunting as I've always been reluctant to be too "out there" with my feelings but very rewarding thus far, and I'm changing for the better in many ways as a result."
Debo’s music invites you to celebrate your uniqueness and find happiness in the sound itself.