Biography | Discography | Press Kit

Debra Laws’ professional career began as a young teenager when she was the featured vocalist on several tracks from the landmark “jazz fusion” album Friends and Strangers (United Artists Records), recorded by brother Ronnie Laws. And Debra hasn’t looked back since. She continues to deliver the vibrant, dynamic vocals that this fabulous songstress is known for.

Debra exhibits her incredible versatility with ease on her latest recording, “Moments” (currently in release in Japan), where she is backed by her brothers Hubert and Ronnie Laws. Debra takes pen in hand with exceptional results on nine of the twelve songs on this great recording.

Very Special (Elektra Records) marks Debra’s debut as a solo recording artist. Her two singles “Be Yourself” and “Very Special” garnered her considerable acclaim, and her duet with brother Ronnie on the title track remains a contemporary classic. In fact, Debra’s “Very Special” vocals were recently “sampled” on Jennifer Lopez’ hit version of the song.

Ms. Laws’ other recordings include Land of Passion (Columbia Records), with brother Ronnie Laws, “Crusin’ Tonight” (written/produced by George Duke) from The Heavenly Kid soundtrack, as well as the soundtracks Fighting Back and Prison Dancer. She also co-starred in Prison Dancer, following her feature film debut in Columbia’s Crossroads.

Born in Houston, the seventh of eight children from the enormously talented Laws family, Debra currently resides in California. However, if you’re hoping to hear her perform, it may be very difficult catching up with her. When she isn’t touring with siblings Hubert, Ronnie or Eloise, she often accompanies Michael Henderson and Norman Connors. She has toured around the world with Rita Marley, Shabba Ranks, Kool and the Gang, The Commodores and Third World, among others. Her festival performances include the Berkeley Jazz Festival, the Long Beach Jazz Festival, the Drew Music Festival, the Pasadena Jazz Festival, London’s Wembley Black Music Festival and more.

Debra has performed at Carnegie Hall, the House of Blues, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Forum, the Hollywood Bowl, and recently, Platinum Live with sister Eloise Laws. She has appeared on The David Letterman Show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, General Hospital and The Today Show.

Most recently, Debra toured cross-country as her sister (Eloise Laws’) alternate in the Tony-nominated play It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues, performing at Broadway’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre in Lincoln Center, the San Diego Repertory Theatre, Crossroads Theatre, The Alabama Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, Missouri Repertory Theatre Company, The Arizona Theatre Company and the Seattle Repertory

Theatre. Her other theatre credits include The Choice is Yours at the Beverly Theatre and Clothespins and Dreams at the California Music Theatre.

In addition to Moments, Debra can be heard as the guest lead vocalist with The Spiritual Voices of Harlem on an upcoming gospel CD.