Performing with Dr. Guy's Musiqology
About
Abby Dobson
Biography
A Sonic Conceptualist Artist, Abby Dobson’s sound is the alchemy of R&B/Soul, jazz, classic pop, classical, gospel, blues and folk, forging a gem that erases musical boundaries. Abby has performed at legendary venues such as S.O.B's, The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, The Apollo Theater, Joe's Pub, Blue Note Jazz Club, and The Tonight Show (Jay Leno) - all to rave reviews. Abby won BlackPlanet.com's Soul Beach Music Festival's First Annual Competition and was featured in GIANT Magazine's September 2009 issue as an artist to watch. She was featured three times as a singer/songwriter at the New York Songwriter's Circle and was a finalist in the R&B category of the John Lennon Song Writing Competition for her song "Deeply," which was featured on television shows "The Shield,” "Jack & Jill" and "Any Day Now." Abby has also lent backing vocals to artists ranging from John Legend to Talib Kweli. Accompanied by her band or acoustic ensemble, Abby has opened concerts for Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi, Dwele, Chrisette Michele, Floetry, Kindred, N’Dambi and Leela James. Abby performs with Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, a 20-plus member ensemble known for improvisatory orchestral performances that combine all manner of vocal, instrumental and electronic music, led by founder and conductor Greg Tate. Abby also performs with Dr. Guy’s Musiqology, a Philadelphia based band led by pianist and composer Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr.
Abby Dobson is the 2016 Artist-in-Residence with the African American Policy Forum (AAPF), co-founded by legal scholar and activist Kimberlé Crenshaw. Abby received a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College with a double major in Political Science and History. A recording artist and culture worker-producer, Abby’s debut CD, "Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You Have Been Waiting On”, was released in 2010 on her independent record label, LadyBraveBirdMusic, to glowing reviews. Abby performed in the inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival in 2011 opening for Gregory Porter.
Featured on Talib Kweli's 2013 album, "Prisoner of Conscious,” on "Before He Walked," Abby Dobson appeared on The Tonight (Jay Leno) Show alongside Kweli in 2013. Featured on Kweli’s 2014 album “Gravitas” on “State of Grace”, Abby was also nominated for a 2014 BET Hip Hop Award for Best Impact Song.
Abby credits her lived experiences as a performing, recording and touring artist with sparking a deep hunger for and interest in scholarship that speaks to the experiences of Black female artists as culture workers and knowledge producers in the music industry and media. Abby is also an independent scholar whose research interests focus primarily on the intersections of race, gender and class in the imagination, consumption, production, promotion and distribution of music and the impact of those intersections on citizenship in the U.S. Passionate about using music as a tool for empathy cultivation, Abby creates music to inspire audiences to both reflect on the world in which we live and to engage in action to promote transformative social change. Abby creates music to privilege black female voices and highlight the human condition.
Abby is also committed to shining her artistic light – having volunteered in service of programs such as Upward Bound, The Brotherhood SisterSol, Bronx Community College and The Lower Eastside Girl’s Club. Abby currently volunteers with the National Organization for Women, NYC Chapter’s Activist Alliance serving as a member of its Intersectionality Committee. Abby also conducts workshops as a Teaching Artist with Crossing Point Arts to help bring the healing power of music to women and girls who are survivors of human trafficking. Abby Dobson is currently wrapping up recording for “Sister Outsider”, the highly anticipated follow up to her debut album, slated for release in 2016. Ultimately, Abby hopes to move you through the power of music.