Debra Mullins
Music
A sweet compilation of Bebop,
Jump, Blues, R&B, Pop and Ballads from America’s past in Cabaret style. Deb Mullins reminds us that Jazz can be entertainment sung with honesty, dedication and soulfulness.
Press Reviews
"...Mullins' vocal delivery steams and fevers with passion and vitality and reaches into the soul of her audience." - Indianapolis NUVO
"Deb Mullins, a familiar name in the Indianapolis music scene, belted several solos that left the audience amazed at the strength of her voice. When she performed “It Was You” in the first act, I did not want it to end…ever. And while Mullins power had the crowd howling for more..." - funcityfinder.com
“…Deb Mullins who captivates with her personal stories of self-discovery. Her commanding presence and stunning voice are a delight and carry the bulk of the show.” – Indianapolis NUVO
“…Mullins’ connection with the audience is enhanced by her ability to create a balance of upbeat bebop and boogie tunes with the slowed‐down blues. Creating an intimate mood, the local songstress brought the audience to its feet more than once in admiration.” – Elizabeth Musgrave, Gotta Go
"Deb Mullins has a voice that starts in the bottom of her toes and comes from her soul" – Spotlight Magazine
"...on stage, Mullins' is mothing shy of captivating." Indianapolis Star
Friends of Deb
World Class Musicians Who Play with Deb Mullins and The Assets Band
Steve Dokken, bassist, was raised in Minneapolis but established himself as a leading bass player in the Indianapolis area after moving there in the late 1970s. Along with local drummer Jack Gilfoy, Dokken played with the Henry Mancini band from 1979 to 1994.
Dokken has played with Mullins for several decades and many years with violinist, Cathy Morris and District Contact lead by Latin artist Pavel Polanco-Safadit.
Listed below are only a few of the impressive people and groups he has performed with Rod Stewart, The 5th Dimension, The Moody Blues, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, The Eagles, Weird Al Yankovic, Electric Light Orchestra, Josh Groban, Joan Rivers, Ben E. King, LeAnn Rimes, Sandi Patty, The Who, Celtic Thunder, Red Skeleton, Bob Hope,
Leslie Gore, Robert Goulet, Patti Page, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Peter Nero, Vikki Carr, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Diahann Carroll, Sarah Vaughn, Perry Como, The Coasters, Debby Boone, Bill Gaither, Martha Reeves, and Cab Calloway.
Guitarist Sandy Williams, is another long-time friend and guitarist who works with Mullins. Williams has his own pile of diverse recording credits. Since the '90s Williams has picked on a series of recordings by the Indianapolis musical comedy duo of Bob & Tom . He has also performed and recorded with singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer and bands such as Kinnection and the Twin Sisters. He is a member of the Indianapolis Guitar Summit. He is also a guitar instructor at DePauw University and IUPUI Indianapolis.
Michael Bone Read is a founding member and songwriter for the band Roadmaster. The band had five albums on Village and Mercury/Phonogram records and toured extensively with Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, and many others. Todd Rundgren produced three songs for their first album. He then joined Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and the Turtles with Flo and Eddie after that. He worked with The BoxTops and other acts from that era. Henry Lee Summer, the Alligator Brothers, Carl Storie, and the Doo Band came next. He continues to write and selectively perform. He has
re-recorded several Roadmaster songs that he authorized and has released an
eponymous cd entitled “FINALLY!”, featuring songs he has written over
the years.
Troye Kinnett, partnered with Mullins as longtime accompanist and musical director.
Troye, a Muncie, Indiana native, began playing the piano at the age of eight and spent much of his youth listening to keyboard icons such as Stevie Wonder and Elton John. While a student at Ball State University, he Ball State, he immersed himself in a variety of musical styles.
IIn 2005, he was asked to record and perform with well-know Indiana artist, John Mellencamp, playing keyboards, accordion, harmonica and singing background vocals. He continues to work as a studio musician, composer and audio engineer.
He has appeared on on studio albums with Mellencamp, working with artists Bruce Springsteen, T Bone Burnett, Joan Baez, and Little Big Town and live with Keith Urban.
Kinnett has written for the NCAA, the Heartland Film Festival, Eli Lily, F.C. Tucker, Simon Malls and more. His compositions have won Addy, Telly, and Silver Microphone Awards. He has scored independent feature films that have aired on Showtime and The Movie Channel.
Troye performed and recorded with Donovan, The Boxtops, Rare Earth and Eddie Money, Keith Urban,Stephen Stills, Sheryl Crow and Kenny Wayne Shepard.
Dane Clark is an Indiana native who has been honing his instrumental (drums, bass, guitar and keyboards) and songwriting skills from an early age. He has played 26 years with John Mellencamp, Dane has recorded with John Prine, Steve Earle, Ian Hunter, Janis Ian, Carrie Newcomer, The Bob And Tom Band and a multitude of others.
Troye appeared on the soundtrack for the feature film Ithaca directed by Meg Ryan and toured with Grammy Award winner Sandi Patty. He was the musical director for Rock-IN-Roar 500 to celebrate the100th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Additionally, Troye was involved in the production of The Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a musical written by Stephen King with songs by Mellencamp.
His many musical experiences has led to notable performances at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. on The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman and Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the Grammy’s MusiCares Person of the Year Concert honoring Bob Dylan, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony where Troye performed with Billy Joel, John Fogerty, Joan Jett, and Paul Schaffer in a musical tribute to The Dave Clark Five.
Steve Hanna, frequent Deb Mullins drummer, emains one of the busiest players based in Indianapolis, (his home town).
Steve tours across the country with pop stars, plays shows, records, et al.
Percussion, drums, keyboard, drum set, and more. He is also playing member of the Indianapolis Symphony.
Adding the sweet sound of tenor saxophone to Mullins' sound, Mike Stricklin plays all styles of music. He's recorded with and performed with many local and nationally known artist. He plays all saxes, flutes, and clarinets. He has played live with everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Sinatra and many, many in between.
Recently playing with Mullins, multi-instrumentalist Jay Young is an active performer and Arranger. He has toured and performed throughout the United States and Internationally. At home in a broad range of styles, Mr. Young plays All Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, and EWI. In addition to leading his own groups, Jay plays Woodwinds in the “Bob and Tom Band” (from the nationally syndicated/Radio Hall of Fame inducted Bob and Tom Show) since 1989, and The Endless Summer Band (for whom he also serves as Horn arranger/musical director) since 1993, and The Naptown Jazz 5, which he now leads.
Mr. Young has toured/performed/recorded with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra Jr., Frankie Valli, The Manhattan Transfer, Joan Rivers, Three Dog Night, Sha Na Na, Lou Rawls, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Mary Wilson, The Spinners, Marie Osmond, Sandi Patti, Steve Allee, Duke Tumatoe, The Buselli –Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Harry James Orchestra, and The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Ft, Wayne Philharmonic, Indianapolis. Symphony Orchestra, The Anderson Symphony and
numerous Broadway shows, countless Recordings and Radio/Television commercials ... the list goes on.
Jay's horn charts and arrangements have been played by countless groups, all over the world. He has written/arranged for numerous recordings, as well as for radio and television. Jay maintains an active private studio, teaching Saxophone, Flute and Clarinet. Previously he served as Director of Jazz Bands at Lawrence Central High School, as well as serving on the Faculties of The University of Indianapolis and Marian University. Mr. Young is an Artist/Clinician for Conn/Selmer musical instruments.
Playing with Mullins over the years, Indianapolis guitarist Paul Holdman made his living performing, writing, and recording music of many styles: Blues, Rockabilly, Gospel, Surf, Rock and Soul. Paul’s career took off in 1990 playing with Indianapolis-based Blues-Rock band Bangkok Rooster. He became a sought-after guitarist on the local music scene, including Jennie Devoe, Carrie Newcomer, Tad Robinson, and Gordan Bonnham. Paul continues to stay busy playing his guitar and singing in clubs, at festivals and churches, with Rebekah Meldrum, Tad Robinson, and the Woomblies Rock Orchestra.
Matt Murdock is a freelance musician and guest artist performing in classical and commercial genres. He has performed with such noted performers as Nelson Rangell, Martin Short, Michael Davis, Ernie Watts, Bob Mintzer, Diana Reeves, John Fedchock, Carl Saunders, Dick Oates, Bobby Shew, Dennis DeBlasio, Bill Watrous, Nancy Wilson, Rich Little, Rufus Reid, and Jack Sheldon. In addition, he has performed with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Duffy Jackson Big Band, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, New Millennium Jazz Orchestra, Fort Wayne Jazz Orchestra, and Truth in Jazz Orchestra.
Matt is the Director of Bands at Sycamore School in Indianapolis. Before this position, he served as the Director of Instrumental Studies at Trevecca University in Nashville, TN, for fourteen years. In addition, he taught at the DeKalb Central School Corporation and Cathedral High School.
Matt earned his Music Education and Trumpet Performance doctorate from Ball State University. He is an active researcher and presenter. His area of research focuses on instructional methods and jazz improvisation. Murdock is a frequent clinician and adjudicator throughout the Midwest. In addition, Matt is an active arranger for jazz, wind, and brass ensembles.
March 10
The Jazz Kitchen
INDIANAPOLIS
Doors Open 5:30 pm
Show at 7:00p
COME TO THE KITCHEN!
World Class Food and Beverage, Fun with Friends, Inspiring Music and Top-Notch Musicians
Tickets at www.thejazzkitchen.com.
317.253.4900
Indiana History Center Concert on the Canal Series
INDIANAPOLIS
July 29
Deb Mullins returns to a sold out crowd at the Indiana Historical Society for the Canal Concert Series.
Dec 8
The Garden
Christmas Cabaret
Broad Ripple Arts Center
The Jazz Kitchen
INDIANAPOLIS
Oct 17
Tickets at www.thejazzkitchen.com.
317.253.4900
Indy Fringe Opening
INDIANPOLIS