Artist Profile |
About: Some singers need to be surrounded by a variety of equipment to move people, but this powerful artist simply needs an audience. Abby Dobson is one of those rare songbirds that effortlessly stimulate sensual, soulful and raw emotions using just her vocal instrument, a voice that is not only heard but felt.
Having been influenced by the likes of legendary soul powerhouses such as Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, and Aretha Franklin, Abby is not your typical artist who tries to woo a crowd with technical acrobatics or lyrical clichés, but instead captures a crowd using enthralling melodies and emotionally charged words brought to life by the ache and honey in her voice. Devoted to her craft, Abby has studied classical voice since Junior High school. But it was the introduction to Billie Holiday and Hathaway that taught Abby how to draw people to her in such a way that you feel her essence. As Abby explains, “with Toni Morrison, her writing is very descriptive and I love her imagination.”, and “Alice Walker, she's a woman's woman in that I've always felt empowered by her writing”. Serving as her songwriting muses, it comes as no surprise that her music sounds like a collection of poetic soul stories set to sweet sounding rhythms.
It all began in 1996, when Abby set out her quest to spread her inviting music with the world. From showcases to features, Abby was selected as a contestant on the nationally televised hit show "Showtime at the Apollo," and then went on to win the infamous Amateur Night competition. In just a three-year time span, as a result, the singer/songwriter scored several gigs with signed artists and TV networks. A few of those successes included being a specially invited guest and opening act for the Black Lilly Jam Sessions featuring Jaguar Wright and the Jazzy Fatnastees (Cool Hunter) and receiving Honorable Mention at the 1999 Billboard song competition for one of her songs, which was also featured in an ASCAP Songwriters Workshop and on WB’s syndicated TV sitcom “Jack & Jill’ and Lifetime’s weekly drama “Any Day Now”.
The year 2000 proved to be equally rewarding for Abby being that she was chosen to perform at a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Showcase at Makor and in BMI’s Urban Music Showcase (New York). Moving forward into 2001-2002 the performer a three times featured singer/songwriter at the New York Songwriters Circle, won the 2001 E.A.R.S. Talent Competition, and the BMI Atlanta 2002 Urban Music Showcase.
Through word of mouth and featured performances with some of the most well known and respected artists in the music industry, Abby has opened up for artists such as Kindred (Hidden Beach) and Javier (Capitol) to name a few. Today you can hear her vocals on the latest single “Get By” from Talib Kweli’s album “Quality” (Rwkus/MCA).
Abby has secured a loyal fan base throughout New York City performing to rave reviews at well known venues such as: S.O.B’s, Nuyorican Poet’s Café, The Bitter End, The Wetlands: Soul Café, the Sugar Bar, Puff Daddy’s Justin’s, BET’s 106&Park, the legendary Blue Note and at 98.7 Kiss FM’s sponsored show at the South Street Seaport, in which they hailed Abby as a “rising superstar”.
You also may have heard Abby’s captivating music on syndicated & college radio stations and TV networks such as Hunter College and Medgar Evers College station, 98.7 Kiss FM, Philadelphia’s top urban station Power 99 and “The Shield”, on the FX channel, in which her song “Deeply” was featured.
Through all of Abby’s accomplishments, featured music, live performances and growing fan base she has not stopped there. Abby is constantly busy sharing her timeless voice and giving back to society, through volunteer work in directing a gospel choir, being an advocate for youth and community organizations in using her talent as a tool of inspiration and hope. She has been involved in various fundraising events for the Bronx Community College Upward Bound program, Music of Choice for Youth Benefit Performance, Better Youth org. Lifebeat’s Hear and Voices, and the Ronald McDonald House for Children with Cancer foundation.
Abby is no assembly line artist, No gimmicks, No studio manufactured antics. She is to Soul what Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn have been to Jazz, an innovative compelling force, a tender voice bringing people together… bringing Joy... through the gift of song.
Having been influenced by the likes of legendary soul powerhouses such as Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, and Aretha Franklin, Abby is not your typical artist who tries to woo a crowd with technical acrobatics or lyrical clichés, but instead captures a crowd using enthralling melodies and emotionally charged words brought to life by the ache and honey in her voice. Devoted to her craft, Abby has studied classical voice since Junior High school. But it was the introduction to Billie Holiday and Hathaway that taught Abby how to draw people to her in such a way that you feel her essence. As Abby explains, “with Toni Morrison, her writing is very descriptive and I love her imagination.”, and “Alice Walker, she's a woman's woman in that I've always felt empowered by her writing”. Serving as her songwriting muses, it comes as no surprise that her music sounds like a collection of poetic soul stories set to sweet sounding rhythms.
It all began in 1996, when Abby set out her quest to spread her inviting music with the world. From showcases to features, Abby was selected as a contestant on the nationally televised hit show "Showtime at the Apollo," and then went on to win the infamous Amateur Night competition. In just a three-year time span, as a result, the singer/songwriter scored several gigs with signed artists and TV networks. A few of those successes included being a specially invited guest and opening act for the Black Lilly Jam Sessions featuring Jaguar Wright and the Jazzy Fatnastees (Cool Hunter) and receiving Honorable Mention at the 1999 Billboard song competition for one of her songs, which was also featured in an ASCAP Songwriters Workshop and on WB’s syndicated TV sitcom “Jack & Jill’ and Lifetime’s weekly drama “Any Day Now”.
The year 2000 proved to be equally rewarding for Abby being that she was chosen to perform at a Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Showcase at Makor and in BMI’s Urban Music Showcase (New York). Moving forward into 2001-2002 the performer a three times featured singer/songwriter at the New York Songwriters Circle, won the 2001 E.A.R.S. Talent Competition, and the BMI Atlanta 2002 Urban Music Showcase.
Through word of mouth and featured performances with some of the most well known and respected artists in the music industry, Abby has opened up for artists such as Kindred (Hidden Beach) and Javier (Capitol) to name a few. Today you can hear her vocals on the latest single “Get By” from Talib Kweli’s album “Quality” (Rwkus/MCA).
Abby has secured a loyal fan base throughout New York City performing to rave reviews at well known venues such as: S.O.B’s, Nuyorican Poet’s Café, The Bitter End, The Wetlands: Soul Café, the Sugar Bar, Puff Daddy’s Justin’s, BET’s 106&Park, the legendary Blue Note and at 98.7 Kiss FM’s sponsored show at the South Street Seaport, in which they hailed Abby as a “rising superstar”.
You also may have heard Abby’s captivating music on syndicated & college radio stations and TV networks such as Hunter College and Medgar Evers College station, 98.7 Kiss FM, Philadelphia’s top urban station Power 99 and “The Shield”, on the FX channel, in which her song “Deeply” was featured.
Through all of Abby’s accomplishments, featured music, live performances and growing fan base she has not stopped there. Abby is constantly busy sharing her timeless voice and giving back to society, through volunteer work in directing a gospel choir, being an advocate for youth and community organizations in using her talent as a tool of inspiration and hope. She has been involved in various fundraising events for the Bronx Community College Upward Bound program, Music of Choice for Youth Benefit Performance, Better Youth org. Lifebeat’s Hear and Voices, and the Ronald McDonald House for Children with Cancer foundation.
Abby is no assembly line artist, No gimmicks, No studio manufactured antics. She is to Soul what Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn have been to Jazz, an innovative compelling force, a tender voice bringing people together… bringing Joy... through the gift of song.
Music |
Influences: Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker
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