User:BunNcheese/Sandbox
Abby Dobson[1] is a singer, songwriter, and performer based in New York City. Abby was born in Jamaica, and migrated to New York at a young age (Note: she is not to be confused with Abby Dobson, Australian singer & band member of Leonardo's Bride.). She was classically trained as a singer since junior high school. She has established herself primarily as a solo artist, but also performs with Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber[2], "a New York-based twenty-plus member ensemble known for improvisatory orchestral performances that mash up all manner of vocal, instrumental, and electronic music."[1]
Abby's music is described as soulful and organic. Although her music can technically be categorized as R&B or neo-soul, her range of influence come from folk-tinged music such as reggae and bluegrass to hiphop and jazz. Much of her lyrics are inspired by books, as she claims to have a passion for books.
Music Credits[edit]
Abby's credits include working with established artists such as Talib Kweli. Her background vocals were featured on his 2004 release titled "Quality," on the track 'Get By.' She also toured with Kweli throughout North America and Europe in 2005. Other artists Abby has either recorded or performed with include John Legend, Consequence, Jaguar Wright, Jazzyfatnastees, Dwele, Kendra Ross, Maya Azucena[3], Shawn Kane[4], Ledisis, Kindred The Family Soul [5], and Leela James.
Amongst her collaborative and cameo work with the above artists, Abby released an EP titled, "Soul Stories" in 2004, and is currently recording her official independent debut album to be released in Spring/Summer 2008. This recording project, tentatively titled, “Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You have Been Waiting On," is recorded live to analog tape.
Performances[edit]
Abby performs frequently in New York City and the Northeast. She has been featured many times in the showcase Black Lily Jam Sessions [6], known for breaking raw & rootsy once-underground artists. She has performed at both contemporary and legendary music venues such as:
SOB’s
The Blue Note
The Cutting Room
Nuyorican Poets Café
Sugar Bar
The Baggot Inn
The Village Underground
The Williamsburgh Music Center
The Knitting Factory
Wetlands
Joe’s Pub
The Bitter End
Symphony Space
Jimmy’s Uptown
South Street Seaport
TV Licensing Credits[edit]
Her song "Deeply" has been featured on TV shows such as “The Shield”[7] on the FX Channel, “Any Day Now”[8] on the Lifetime Network, and “Jack & Jill”[9] on the WB Network.
Influences[edit]
Aside from books and authors, Abby cites such musicians as Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, Billy Holiday, Sara Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin to have influenced her as an artist.
Accolades[edit]
Abby has an extensive history of receiving awards and honors for her musical talents.
In 1996, Abby won the infamous Amateur Night competition on Showtime at the Apollo.
In 2001, she won the E.A.R.S. Talent Competition[10], as well as the BMI Atlanta 2002 Urban Music Showcase[11].
In 2003, she received a Billboard Songwriting Competition Honorable Mention[12] in the Lyrics category for her song,“Unconditionally.” She also won the Absolute Jam R&B competition held at Zanzibar. She was a National Finalists of the SoulCityCafe Music Quest competition[13] sponsored by pop artist Jewel (Atlantic Records) and SoulCityCafe.com.
In 2005, Abby received the ASCAP R&B Songwriting award for her song titled, “4 The Love.”
Community Relations[edit]
Abby has performed for various fund raising events for the Bronx Community College Upward Bound program, Music of Choice for Youth Benefit Performance, Better Youth[14] organization, LifeBeat’s[15] Hear and Voices, and the Ronald McDonald House for Children with Cancer foundation.
References[edit]
Abby Dobson's official website/bio [16]
Abby Dobson's official MySpace page [17]
BMI [18]
Discogs.com [19]
SOB's [20]
Soultracks.com [21]
BunNcheese (talk) 04:32, 23 January 2008 (UTC)