You Taught My Heart to Sing

Memphis-born vocalist Deborah Swiney is a soulful and captivating voice in jazz, bringing together the rich musical heritage of her hometown with an unmistakable warmth, elegance, and emotional depth.

From her early years singing gospel and soul to touring internationally for several years as a background vocalist with the legendary Al Green, Swiney’s journey has been shaped by a lifetime immersed in great music. Now, with the release of You Taught My Heart to Sing, she enters an exciting new chapter, joining forces with her producer, legendary Memphis pianist, Donald Brown, to create a recording that is both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably her own.

Brown’s remarkable career includes performing and touring internationally as a member of Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers, as well as collaborations with some of the most influential artists in modern jazz, including Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Wallace Roney, and Donald Byrd.

A prolific composer, arranger, and producer, Brown has also served as an educator at Berklee College of Music and the University of Tennessee. His deep connection to Memphis and his ability to bridge jazz, R&B, composition, arranging, and studio production make him a particularly meaningful collaborator for Swiney’s latest project.

Deborah Swiney’s sophomore album is a masterclass in vocal jazz and soul, showcasing her impressive multi-octave vocal range as it seamlessly navigates from sultry, deep-toned storytelling to effortless, soaring highs. Guided by the visionary production of Donald Brown, the record takes listeners on a beautifully curated emotional journey, supported by an extraordinary ensemble of world-class musicians. The album opens with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Angel Eyes,” smoothly transitioning into the Swiney-penned original “Oh Where Can My Man Be,” establishing her not just as an evocative interpreter but as a gifted storyteller. The record shifts beautifully from the lush rhythms of “LaCosta” and timeless standards like “Lady Bird” into an uptempo, swinging rendition of “That’s All,” a highenergy track where Swiney delights listeners with a display of fun, effortless scatting.

The ultimate emotional intimacy of the project is captured in two touching vocal-and-piano duets: a breathtakingly raw performance of “Never Let Me Go” featuring pianist Alvie Givhan that overflows with genuine emotion, and the melancholic brilliance of “You Must Believe in Spring” alongside pianist Anthony Thomas.

The depth continues with “No Regrets,” followed by the sophisticated groove of “That’s Enough for Me.” The album then shifts into an exhilarating gear with Donald Brown’s surprise, reinvented arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “Tell Me Something Good,” powered by a scorching, funky jazz sax solo from the legendary Gary Topper and a blistering guitar solo by The Bar-Kays’ own Angelo Earl. This high-energy peak perfectly sets the stage for the breathtaking title track, “You Taught My Heart to Sing,” a stunning centerpiece that showcases the true pinnacle of Swiney’s emotional resonance.

Finally, the album closes with “Someday, Um Dia,” a powerful, message-driven masterpiece where Swiney delivers a poignant vision of universal freedom from hunger, sorrow, and war, made all the more heartwrenching and unforgettable by the pure, innocent harmonies of five children singing in the background. This is a timeless, star-studded musical tapestry that demands a full listen from start to finish.

Track List

1. Angel Eyes
2. Oh Where Can My Man Be
3. La Costa
4. Never Let Me Go
5. Lady Bird
6. That’s All
7. You Must Believe In Spring
8. No Regrets
9. That‘s Enough For Me
10. Tell Me Something Good
11. You Taught My Heart to Sing
12. Someday UM Dia

JAZZ4