FESTIVAL DATE:
Saturday, August 12, 2022
Deborah CoxBioDeborah Cox possesses one of the most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time.The Grammy Award nominated, multi-platinum R &B/Pop recording artist and actress recently blew the roof off theatres as she starred in the Rachel Marron role originally played byWhitney Houston in the new musical “TheBodyguard”. She made her Broadway debut in the leading role in Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida”, receiving rave reviews. In 2013, she yet again demonstrated her wide range through her emotional portrayal of Lucyin the revival of hit Broadwaymusical “Jekyll &Hyde”. In 2016 Deborah starred as the legendaryJosephine Bakerin the original musical “Josephine” at the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Since beginning her career as a background singer for Celine Dion, Deborah has recorded six award winning and critically acclaimed albums and has written for and been recorded on numerous soundtracks. As with Whitney Houston, Deborah’s first recording contract was with Clive Davis at Arista Recordsand that self-title ddebut album went platinum, earning her an American Music Award nomination. She later collaborated with Houston to record the duet “Same Script Different Cast” for Whitney’s greatest hits CD.From her second CD. One Wish, came the double platinum “Nobody’sSupposed to be Here” – which held the record for the longest running #1 R & B single. After 14 weeks at the top of the charts, Deborah earned a Billboard Music Award nomination for R & B Single of the Year, an NAACP Image Award nomination, A Soul Train Award, A Lady of Soul Award and3 Juno Awards includinga Best Female Vocalist Juno nomination. Deborah received Two GenieAwards nominations for Best Achievement in Music–Original Song for the movie, Love Come Down. She was nominated for a World Music Award in 2010 for the song “Leave The World Behind”. The Canadian born star has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hit records, includingthirteen#1songs on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.Deborah has been recognized for her longstanding commitment tothe LGBT community. InApril 2019, she received the NGLCC-NBIC Icon Award and the Luminary Award from the University of The West Indies. In January 2015, she received the Out Music Pillar Award. In 2014, she received the California State Senate Award and in 2007, she received The Civil Rights Award from the New York Senate for her efforts in the fight for Human Rights and Equality. TheHarvey Milk Foundation at the 2015 Diversity Honors honored her for her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the LGBT community. OnJune 12, 2016, she was given the Liberty Bell and Proclamation in Philadelphia by Mayor James Kenney to proclaim June 12 as LGBTQ Philadelphia Pride Parade and Festival Day.
