Debbie Poryes

Debbie Poryes is an accomplished jazz pianist and composer known for her sophisticated and original style that blends bebop, post-bop, modern jazz, and influences from 20th-century classical music and free jazz. Born in Santa Monica, California, she began playing piano at the age of five, practicing everything from Chopin to show tunes before falling in love with jazz legends like Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis as a teenager. She has a highly regarded body of work, including albums such as *Loving Hank* (2017) and *Two & Fro* (2011), which have received critical acclaim and recognition, including top ratings from Downbeat magazine. Debbie’s music is noted for its warm richness, inventive voicings, and a joyful, swinging spirit. After many years in the San Francisco Bay Area, she relocated to Philadelphia in 2018, where she continues to teach and perform.

She leads the Debbie Poryes Trio and Quartet, showcasing her skillful interplay with bandmates and her distinct voice on the piano. Critics have praised her for her inventive re-examinations of standards and deeply felt sense of time and swing, highlighting her as a standout personality in the jazz scene. Whether playing originals or standards, her music balances solemnity and lightheartedness, reflecting her expansive musical vocabulary and heartfelt expression.