Chicago jazz and soul singer Deborah Powell and jazz pianist/keyboardist Thomas Gunther have performed together at many different events in Chicagoland for many years, from jazz clubs to private venues.
The duo is best suited for concert venues and events that require quality, high class background entertainment.
Their repertory features some of the most beautiful jazz, blues, soul, gospel and retro-pop songs, presented in a variety of different genres and styles.
This duo can sound acoustic and like an entire band due to modern keyboard technology, without loosing the element of spontaneous, interactive creative music making. The duo can also be expanded to any band format.
I can’t say enough positive things about Thomas Gunther, Deborah Powell, Daniel Anderson, and their fabulous drummer, Tyron Blair. These 4 musicians were prompt, professional, and talented! They provided several hours of music for our swing/lindy hop event, and kept the dance floor swinging all night long. The energy in the room was electric, and they sounded amazing! I cannot wait to have them out again to play for us!
This singer has an amazing voice, just a couple of notes and you feel transported to another place. I would go hear her any time, any place, she is that good.
Response from The Jazz & Soul Connection Duo:
MUCH THANKS!
I've known Deborah Wright Powell for more than 40 years. I've gigged with her and heard her with several other groups.
She is the consummate musician, able to engage any crowd. She can bring the most out of a slow ballad like "Ain't misbehavin'" or from something upbeat like "A-train" or Choo-Choo-Ch-Boogie"
And, as a bonus, she is a sweet and kind person: always ready to lend a hand to someone in need.
Response from The Jazz & Soul Connection Duo:
Most kind!
Deborah represents the best of many styles of music. Her vocal range allows her to shine whether it's jazz, blues, gospel or contemporary....she rises to the occasion. She knows how to engage her audience and has an immensely graceful presence. Teaming with Thomas, they bring out his multifaceted keyboard genius. Their vast array of music makes them appropriate and appreciated for many types of events. They are a highlight for our Mother Day Brunch!
Response from The Jazz & Soul Connection Duo:
Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words Anthony. We loved performing for you and your wonderful guests. Although it was a brunch, it felt almost like a concert. You guys were so attentive and appreciative, it really inspired us and our music.
Can't wait to be performing for you again soon!
I have hired Thomas Gunther as a solo pianist for a few of my private events over the past few years. It was always a great success.
After one concert he suggested that I should hire him with Deborah for a special house concert. He convinced me and I hired the duo on July 2023.
From an event organizer's perspective I value that they are both highly professional, meaning easy to communicate with, reliable, and polite.
They were very well dressed for the occasion, and provided all the necessary equipment for the event including a small but very good sound system, microphone, keyboard, etc..
This was a 1 hour concert for a seated listening audience.
Words fall short to describe the thrilling experience that I had listening to this duo.
Performance-wise it was a truly electrifying and addictive experience.
They even got a well deserved standing ovation by all in attendance at the culmination of their performance and were asked to perform several encores.
I already asked them to perform at my 2023 Holliday party. I can't wait to hear them again!
Response from The Jazz & Soul Connection Duo:
Thank you so very much for your encouraging review Shiva. It was so much fun performing for you and your appreciative guests. Deborah and I can't wait do this again soon at your upcoming Holiday party!
This duo is so amazing and incredibly creative! This concert was more than just listening to beautiful music by talented musicians, it uplifted my mood and touched my soul! They were both so in tune with each other and with the audience! The energy could be felt throughout the whole room! Absolutely loved Deborah Powell and Thomas Gunther’s Jazz and Soul Connection and CAN NOT WAIT, for their next performance! Inspiring!
Price Range: $400 - &1200
Gig Length: 20 - 180 minutes
Languages: English, German
The duo is the perfect musical entertainment for two different kinds of events.
1. Concert for a listening audience
The duo's concert repertory is perfect for jazz clubs and other puplic or private concert events with an attentive listening audience that wants to enjoy high quality music and an energetic and entertaining performance.
2. High quality background music
The duo can adjust their repertory to perform for events where the music is not the primary purpose, but should add to the atmosphere making the attendees feel good and relaxed.
Deborah Powell – stage name DEBORAH – is an American jazz, soul, and gospel vocalist who has become an integrated part of the Chicago music scene, starting decades ago.
She is adored by her fans for her warm and caring personality, her spellbinding energetic stage presence, and her powerful and beautiful voice which she can skillfully control to fit any jazz and popular musical style and genre, performing at countless concert and private venues.
She began her professional singing career after moving from New York to Chicago, where she worked and travelled with some of the finest Chicago band leaders such as Lorenzo Smith, Nate Vincent, Pete Baron Quartet, Eddie Harrison Orchestra, Tyrone Pittman, Thomas Gunther Trio, and Mr. Bill Pollack Productions.
Her voice is also featured on several TV commercials, one of them can be heard through the loudspeakers at Midway airport in Chicago.
Jazz pianist/keyboardist Thomas Gunther has been Deborah's collaborator, accompanist, and musical director for many years . Thomas was born and raised in Germany. He moved to Chicago shortly after receiving his Master’s Degree in teaching and performing jazz and popular music (with emphasis on piano/keyboard performance) from The State University for the Performing Arts, Stuttgart/Germany.
Shortly after arriving in Chicago he was offered (and accepted) the role as the pianist for the acclaimed Chicago Jazz Ensemble, led by composer/arranger William Russo (Music Director of the Stan Kenton Orchestra). With the orchestra he toured famous venues in the US (like Birdland NYS), as well as world wide.
He also formed his own groups like the Thommy Gunther's Taste Of Chicago Band featuring some of the most respected Chicago jazz musicians. He recorded his first CD in Chicago featuring Orbert Davis (trumpeter, composer, and founder of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic).
He soon created the Thomas Gunther Trio which often featured Deborah on vocals as a guest singer. With Deborah, "The Thomas Gunther Trio Plus" became one of the most popular swing bands in Chicago during the swing revival in 2000 and performed for huge venues like the International Swing Dance Competition at the Willowbrook Ballroom, and at the Taste Of Chicago Summer Dance Series.
Thomas is also a music producer, composed, arranged & orchestrated music for small and big jazz ensembles, and holds a teaching position at Columbia College Chicago.
Besides electricity (regular outlet will do) at the setup side, the duo can bring everything. This includes keyboard and PA system.
However, when there should be a grand piano in great condition and/or a house PA, please let us know what it is. We might consider using it instead.
We can set up in a very tied space (9x9 feet).
Stage lights are nice, but not required. Of course we expect not to perform in the dark. So some kind of light needs to be there.
The duo's song-list is very comprehensive spanning from early jazz all the way to retro-pop.
The repertory also includes many famous Holliday Songs of which only a few are included in the list.
The following list includes only their most often requested songs (in alphabetical order).
Let There Be Pease On Earth
As Time Goes
At Last
Betta By Golly Wow
Don't Get Around Much
Don't Go To Strangers
Feel Like Makin' Love
Girl From Ipanema
God Bless The Child
Great Is Your Mercy
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
How Sweet It Is
I'll Be Home For Christmas
I Need You To Survive
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
Just In Time
Just Squeeze Me
Killing Me Softly
Let It Snow
Let The Good Times Roll
Let There Be Peace On Earth
The Look Of Love
Lover Man
Moon Dance
On A Clear Day
Our Love Is Here To Stay
Over The Rainbow
Praise Is What I Do
Route 66
Santa Clause Is Coming To Town
Satin Doll
Smile
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Straighten Up And Fly Right
Summertime
Teach Me Tonight
This Masquerade
Total Praise
A Train
Wade In The Water
What A Wonderful World
When I Fall In Love
The Christmas Song
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Deborah has many influences such as Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder; to name a few. She likes soulful jazz singers that sing expressively and are sensitive to the lyrics. She likes to improvise and change things up like many top jazz vocalist do. She also learned from great entertainers and knows how to adapt to an audience and engage with them quickly.
Thomas' playing is influenced by many pianists. He loves swing and blues oriented traditional pianists like Oscar Peterson and Nath King Cole just as much as more contemporary jazz pianists like Bill Evens, Herby Hancock. He also likes to play electronic keyboards that emulate organ, electric pianos, and synth sounds. Stylistically he loves blues, jazz, soul and fusion jazz which also includes latin music. His main influences are Jimmy Smith, George Duke, Jeff Lorber, and Chick Corea.
Those musical influences are clearly represented in the duo's song choices and interpretations thereof. No song sounds like the other, and just like their musical roll-models they set a very high standard for themselves when performing their music.
Electrical outlet
9x9 Feet space
A chair for the vocalist
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