- Location:
- Portland, Oregon
- Travel Radius:
- Will travel up to 100 miles from Portland.
- Pay Range:
-
$100-$500 per hour
- Member Since:
- 2009
- Primary Category:
- Classical Violin
- Additional Categories:
- 40s Singer, Celtic Fiddler, Fiddler, Jazz Violin, Strolling Violinist, Wedding Singer
- Influences:
- Pinchas Zuckerman, Scarlet Rivera, Jean-Luc Ponty, Stephane Grappelli, Bach's music.
Group Members
- John Salazar - Vocals
- Vojin Obradovich - Lead Guitar, Vocals
- Matt Edmonds - Bass, Vocals
- Steven Daubert - Drums
- Troy Richmond Dixon - Guitar, Vocals
- KC Craine - Fingerstyle Guitar, Vocal
- Brad Price - Fingerstyle Guitar, Vocal
- George Turner - Cello
Description
Portland resident Deborah Katz has been playing violin for over 25 years. Classically trained, she began playing viola at the age of 9, and singing even earlier. She expanded her musical chops playing with the prestigious Marin Youth Orchestra, studying music at San Francisco State University, and singing in many choirs in the San Francisco Bay Area.
A Portland resident since 2004, Deborah is well-respected and acclaimed in the Portland music scene and has played with some of the area's best musicians.
Known for playing with passion, emotion, and creativity, Deborah plays all styles of music including classical, rock, blues, country, rockabilly, funk, jazz, and more. She can also improvise inventive melodies on the spot and sit in with bands without knowing the songs, leading some to call her "The Fearless Fiddler."
Deborah is available for playing at weddings, venues and events, as well as collaborating, recording, and teaching. She has a lap steel guitar and plans to learn how to play it, and she also plays electric mandolin.
In addition to her solo work, Deborah plays duets with a skilled local cellist and plays and sings with Indie Americana band My Girl Whiskey and Rockabilly band The SlimJims. She occasionally plays with award-winning singer/songwriter KC Craine and singer/songwriter Troy Richmond Dixon. She has performed at several major events for Parkinson's Resources of Oregon, a group for which she also volunteers.
Whatever your musical needs are, Deborah's got you covered!
(Full band description below, after some reviews).
A REVIEW:
"Superlative playing!" - Reina G. Collins, noted singer/songwriter.
AUDIENCE RESPONSES:
"The best violinist in Portland!"
"Sounds like Jimi Hendrix."
"Plays with incredible emotion."
"You are a gifted violinist!"
"Deborah made my wedding more special with her beautiful playing."
"Deborah blew us away! She sat in with us and played incredibly well, having never heard the songs before. We didn't even tell her what key they were in. We'd play with her any time." (response from The Concrete Cowboys).
"Deborah is amazingly talented. She played like her violin was on fire."
"She has a beautiful voice. I love her harmonies."
FULL BAND DESCRIPTIONS:
MY GIRL WHISKEY
My Girl Whiskey is a Portland, Oregon, indie/rock band formed by John Salazar and Matt Edmonds of the band Quoting Napoleon. They added some talented local musicians to round out their sound, and the result is amazingly wonderful and top-notch.
Influenced by the work of Tom Waits and Van Morrison, as well as indie rock artists, the music of My Girl Whiskey is deeply introspective, with lyrics that explore the fine line between love and pain. Their songs weave complex instrumental melodies with rich vocals and harmonies and the result is beautiful and dynamic.
Hear some samples and read more at mygirlwhiskey.com/
THE SLIMJIMS
We play originals and covers, rockabilly, blues, country, and more. We have over 30 years of experience, so everyone is top-notch and very professional. We feature the fiddle as the lead instrument. We also have pedal steel, vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. We can play as a full band, or as a duo, trio, etc. We've played at Birdfest in Ridgefield, WA, Stomp Fest at Rusty Grape Vineyard, and many other venues.
*** The SlimJims can be booked via gigmasters. ***
An experienced veteran, Deborah has played with professional Portland artists as the Concrete Cowboys, Pilar French and the Intention, Reina G. Collins, Paula Sinclair, Lara Michelle, Kate Mann, Renee Plant, Jill Trenholm, Beth Willis, Hal Gerard, Jeff Porter, Dawson Cowals, Sonny Hess, Margo Tufo, Lisa Mann, Leah Hinchcliff, Blue Lightning, Julia Korena, Stevi Marie and Jackson Road, Lori Willcutts, and several others.
Satisfaction guaranteed. Call me, you'll be glad you did!
Available For:
Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.
Feedback
- Deborah plays beautifully! She is super sweet and made my wedding that much more perfect! -- Amber B, Portland, OR, 8/3/2009
- Deborah was very pleasant to work with. She played songs during the processional for our wedding, and a special song during the lighting of the unity candle and communion. She sounded good from the room that I, the bride, was waiting during the processional. I had many comments about how well she did. My only complaint would be that during the communion she didn't play during the whole time, and I felt like there was some awkward silence and then she started back up again...maybe that was a lack of communication about what we expected. Overall she did a great job! -- Anne L, Portland, OR, 1/2/2010
- Deborah was a very talented asset for our wedding. She can play anything you want. She was on time and there were no issues with her at all even after her two hour travel to get to the event. I would definitely recommend her to others in need of awesome entertainment. -- Amy W, Lincoln City, OR, 8/29/2010
Click here for more feedback