Press Kit
Quotes
“Poignant and powerful, Unspoken is a work of emotional beauty, and a treasure for connoisseurs of dulcet vocals. Highly recommended.” ~ Midwest Book Review
“I love Deb’s new album, Unspoken. She has a warm, enveloping voice, a smart sense of swing, and she’s a solid songwriter… And her trio—Jon Day on piano, Jeremy Coates on bass and Robin Tufts on drums—is terrific.” ~ Marc Myers, JazzWax
“The vocalist’s excellent, measured singing is well supported by her band in creating and presenting a musical neighborhood where the allegory and simile of the lyrics come to life as soon as they are exhaled. Effortless swing and smart programming make this an excellent vocal recording.” ~ Michael Baliley, All About Jazz
“A complete and stylistically confident, fine and dignified swinging vocal jazz album.” ~ Ivan Rod
“[With] a contemporary feeling that flows and fits together … [Unspoken] is a tonic for vocal fans on the prowl for the next set that really fills their sweet tooth.” ~ Chris Spector @ Midwest Records
“Her own material is impressive, giving a contemplative feel to the gospel’d “Peace, Like a River” and delicate on the rich “Swept Away” and showing her story telling ability on “Fly Away”. Creative couplings.” ~ George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“Deb Rasmussen sings convincingly of joy, loneliness, hope, and heartbreak with a delightful voice exquisitely accompanied by the most sympathetic backing.
Jon Day’s piano again merits praise for his subtle accompaniments and well-conceived solos. “Unspoken” is an engaging jazz vocal release of considerable charm.” ~ Ron Weinstock, Jazz & Blues Report
“On Unspoken, each song goes fast and furious into the next with minimal silence, and they’re pretty much all under four minutes. But that’s not a bad thing – they just call for you to treasure the ones you love.” ~ Will Chernoff, Rhythm Changes
“Deb has it all as a jazz singer; intelligence, originality and a one of a kind voice.” ~ Cheryl Fisher
“Deb is an energized and talented singer with beautiful warm tone and exquisitely shaped phrasing.” ~ John Hyde
“Debra Rasmussen has a beautiful voice and a wonderful feeling for the American Songbook classics.” ~ Bill Coon
“She’s known for her spacious, playful interpretations of standards and for the way she makes time stand still as she connects heart-to-heart with listeners.” ~ Alex Rettie
“When I look through a camera lens, I want to people to see what I see. When I sing a song, I want people to feel what I feel.” ~ Deb Rasmussen
“I’ve always been drawn to lyrics and the timeless human story of life, love and loss that they tell.” ~ Deb Rasmussen
“… she makes time stand still as she connects heart-to-heart with listeners.” ~ Alex Rettie
Short Bio
Canadian jazz vocalist and songwriter Deb Rasmussen has been enchanting audiences for 20 years. She’s known for her spacious, playful interpretations of standards, performing her own tunes, and for the way she makes time stand still as she connects heart-to-heart with listeners. An experienced performer and recording artist, Deb sings with a variety of small combos in Calgary, but her talent has taken her to venues across Canada and as far afield as Mali and Mongolia.
Long Bio
Canadian jazz vocalist and songwriter Deb Rasmussen has been enchanting audiences for 20 years. Deb often takes a soft, understated approach to a song, but make no mistake, she can swing! She’s known for her spacious, playful interpretations of standards, performing her own tunes, and for the way she makes time stand still as she connects heart-to-heart with listeners.
A proud continuator of the jazz tradition, Deb counts among her influences Carmen McCrae and Abbey Lincoln, and gives back to jazz with her work on the Board of JazzYYC, Calgary’s jazz collaborative. Deb has studied with vocal jazz greats including Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts as well as with Nancy King, Dee Daniels, Cheryl Fisher and Madeline Eastman. Deb sings with a variety of small combos in her hometown of Calgary, but her talent has taken her to venues across Canada and as far afield as China and Mongolia.
Deb’s long-time collaboration with the late jazz guitarist Keith Smith is highlighted in her first album – Heart Wide Open (2011). On Northern Lights — Altai Khangai (2009), she adds her vocals to a unique mix of jazz and Mongolian traditional music.
Her new release, UNSPOKEN, takes you on a musical and emotional journey through the parts and types of love we often leave unspoken. It features new compositions and her partnership with Calgary jazz pianist Jon Day. They are joined by bassist Jeremy Coates, and drummer Robin Tufts. The album was developed through a remote collaboration in 2020 and 2021 and recorded at Studio D in Calgary in January 2022.
When she’s not singing, Deb works as an agricultural economist in countries from Mali to Mongolia.
