Debbie grew up on the Niantic River in Waterford, CT. Her mother, Jean Sullivan, was a talented painter and pianist who put her creative ambitions aside to raise eight children. Debbie was influenced by her mother's musical taste: classical music, show tunes, and big band hits could often be heard at the Sullivan home. At age 7 Debbie began piano lessons.
As she matured she was drawn to the great singer/songwriters of the era: Joni MItchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon. She taught herself to sing her favorite songs while accompanying herself on the piano. This led to an invitation to join a band. Practicing in a chicken coop on the Sullivan family property, the band covered Rolling Stones, Beatles, Doobie and Allman Brothers tunes along with the hits of female vocalists like Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt.
Toward the end of her high school years Debbie began listening to jazz-influenced bands like Steely Dan. Her burgeoning interest in jazz grew when she began college at McGill University in Montreal. A transfer to the jazz program at Bridgeport University in Connecticut led to further musical growth and also resulted in an enduring friendship with bassist Tom Charlap. The two formed a trio that performed in New England and Pennsylvania. Tom and Debbie temporarily parted ways when she chose to settle in Boston to continue her studies at Berklee College of Music while he returned to New York.
After completing her studies at Berklee, Debbie began performing at the many piano bars popular during the eighties. This eventually led to her being recruited to perform at high-end hotels and cruise ships in Sweden and Switzerland.
Upon returning to the States, Debbie became house pianist at the Nantucket Yacht Club during summers and continued performing at hotels and clubs in the Boston area.
She made the decision to move to Rhode Island when her son, Oscar, turned five. "I wanted him to grow up in a beautiful place and Narragansett seemed perfect!" While performing in Newport and at Foxwoods Casino, Debbie began working toward her Master's Degree in Music Education. She launched a new career as a music teacher in 2000.
Performing at the Dunes Club with her old friend Tom Charlap and the excellent drummer Paul Mason has been a perfect fit for Debbie as she continues to grow and evolve as a musician. She feels blessed and is thankful to all who have supported her.
As she matured she was drawn to the great singer/songwriters of the era: Joni MItchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon. She taught herself to sing her favorite songs while accompanying herself on the piano. This led to an invitation to join a band. Practicing in a chicken coop on the Sullivan family property, the band covered Rolling Stones, Beatles, Doobie and Allman Brothers tunes along with the hits of female vocalists like Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt.
Toward the end of her high school years Debbie began listening to jazz-influenced bands like Steely Dan. Her burgeoning interest in jazz grew when she began college at McGill University in Montreal. A transfer to the jazz program at Bridgeport University in Connecticut led to further musical growth and also resulted in an enduring friendship with bassist Tom Charlap. The two formed a trio that performed in New England and Pennsylvania. Tom and Debbie temporarily parted ways when she chose to settle in Boston to continue her studies at Berklee College of Music while he returned to New York.
After completing her studies at Berklee, Debbie began performing at the many piano bars popular during the eighties. This eventually led to her being recruited to perform at high-end hotels and cruise ships in Sweden and Switzerland.
Upon returning to the States, Debbie became house pianist at the Nantucket Yacht Club during summers and continued performing at hotels and clubs in the Boston area.
She made the decision to move to Rhode Island when her son, Oscar, turned five. "I wanted him to grow up in a beautiful place and Narragansett seemed perfect!" While performing in Newport and at Foxwoods Casino, Debbie began working toward her Master's Degree in Music Education. She launched a new career as a music teacher in 2000.
Performing at the Dunes Club with her old friend Tom Charlap and the excellent drummer Paul Mason has been a perfect fit for Debbie as she continues to grow and evolve as a musician. She feels blessed and is thankful to all who have supported her.