Deborah Silver talks about her Grammy nomination, PBS special, and the digital age

Deborah Silver. Photo Credit: Fadil Berisha

Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Deborah Silver chatted about her latest endeavors, which include a Grammy nomination, her PBS Special, and being a part of the digital age.

Most recently, she scored a Grammy nomination with The Count Basie Orchestra for for “Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album” for “Basie Rocks!”

Also, her PBS special airs nationwide throughout next year.

Background on Deborah Silver

Silver has earned high praise across the music and entertainment industry. The late Quincy Jones called her “the real deal,” and Rex Reed hails her as “a swinging show-biz whirlwind.”

She has performed worldwide and collaborated with such iconic artists as Bill Medley, Jack Jones, Ronnie Milsap, Diane Schuur, Steve Tyrell, Pam Tillis, Freddy Cole, Ann Hampton Callaway, Ray Benson, and Asleep At The Wheel.

Congrats on the Grammy nomination… How did that feel?

Thank you so much. It still feels surreal. You pour your whole heart into an album, but you never expect something as extraordinary as a Grammy nomination. When I found out, I had one of those “pinch-me” moments.

I kept thinking about all the incredible musicians involved, from Steve Jordan to the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and how this project started as a spark of an idea in my head during the Covid lockdown.

To see it recognized at this level is overwhelming, humbling, and truly the honor of a lifetime. I am super grateful to every person who has taken a moment to listen to our  album. 

What inspires your music and songwriting?

I grew up in Mississippi in a home where music wasn’t background noise, it was the heartbeat of daily life.

My mom was a lyric soprano, my dad played jazz sax, and every room had a different soundtrack. But R&B was always my personal favorite; anything that made you want to move had my full attention. 

When I write or choose a song to interpret, I’m inspired by emotional truth. I love finding the soul of a song and asking, “How do I tell this story in my own voice?”

With this album, re-imagining rock classics as jazz standards felt like uncovering a whole new emotional universe inside songs people thought they already knew.

Can you briefly tell us about your PBS special… how did that come about?

I was already booked to perform at Analog in Nashville, and a few months later I was surprised and honored to learn they wanted to feature me in their PBS series as well. I hadn’t even known about the series at the time!

Each episode spotlights a different genre—country, bluegrass, rock, Americana—and they told me they were excited to showcase me because no one else offered the kind of eclectic show I do.

My performances bring a swinging, jazzy twist to favorites from The Beatles, Peter Frampton, Steve Miller, and the Eagles, (all from my album “Basie Rocks!”) along with timeless treasures from the Great American Songbook.

How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age?

It’s a wild ride but a wonderful one. The digital age has opened the doors for artists to connect with listeners all over the world instantly.

It allows for creativity without boundaries, from how we collaborate to how we share music.

At the same time, I treasure the timelessness of live instrumentation and classic arrangements, so my goal is always to marry the best of both worlds: the warmth of traditional music-making with the reach and accessibility of today’s technology.

What do your plans for the future include?

I’m taking Basie Rocks! on the road! After four years of pouring love into this album, I’m thrilled to bring this music to live audiences—across the country and even overseas.

Yes, there’s definitely more music on the way. The studio will always be my happy place, and I’m constantly exploring new ideas, new sounds, and new collaborations. You can keep up with all my upcoming shows and announcements on my website.

What is your advice for young and emerging singers?

Be relentlessly authentic. The world doesn’t need another copy, it needs your voice, your story, your perspective.

Study, work hard, stay curious, and stay kind. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you and lift you up. Above all, keep going. Every experience, good or bad becomes part of your artistry.

What does the word “success” mean to you?

Success, to me, is doing what you love in a way that touches people. Awards and recognition are incredibly meaningful, but at the end of the day, success is hearing that a song made someone smile, cry, remember, or heal. 

Most of the music I make are to help others. I always have a charty involved with my productions.

A portion of Basie Rocks! goes to the Jazz Foundation of America while my first album Pure Silver goes to a cure for ALS, the terrible disease my sister is fighting. 

Success is being able to live your purpose, stay true to your vision, and make a positive impact through music.

To learn more about jazz artist Deborah Silver, follow her on Instagram and her Linktree page.