Deborah Lee Parkinson
B.MUS, LTCL, FTCL,
POST GRAD CERTIFICATE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC LONDON

I am a professional saxophonist, clarinettist and flautist. I studied at the Royal College of Music in London where I obtained my degree in music. Whilst In London I played at the Barbican, The festival Hall and the Albert Hall. Since emigrating to South Africa in 1986, I teach music and have played for many very well known companies and at most, if not all the top class venues in Southern Africa.

The highlights of my career where playing for Helen Suzman’s 70th birthday, Mandela’s 88th, for Tony Blair on the Queens birthday on his visit to SA and for Sir Richard Branson in 2006, for the 3 Tenors, Julian Lloyd Webber, Helmut Lottie and Patrizio Buanne. I have also played with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, as well as Starlight classics, the proms and the Zoo Lake concerts. For 5 years now I have played for the annual RMB Winex exhibition and in 2010 the Standard Bank Brandy Festival.

I have played at The State Theatre, The 12 Apostles Hotel Capetown, The Bay Hotel Camps Bay, On Rovos Rail, On the Blue Train, at The City Hall, Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia, Lost City at Sun City, The Westcliffe Hotel, The Saxon, The Sheraton, The Sandton Sun, The Michael Angelo For Nedbank, Hayward’s Safaris, Standard Bank, RMB, Old Mutual, Opening of Monte casino, Opening of Sandton Convention Centre, SAB, Rolls Royce, Daimler Chrysler, Audi, BMW, SAFair, SAA, Henley Air, the list is endless.

I have done hundreds of weddings all over the country including celebrity weddings and pride myself in the feed back I get in making these days very memorable, and creating the perfect atmostphere. I am on the preferred suppliers list at both the 12 Apostles and The One and Only as well as other venues.

I work as a soloist, either acoustic or with backing, with piano or guitar, or 4 piece band. There is also a link to a fantastic 17 piece big band that I am a member of that is amazing for the wedding reception or a corporate function. I offer music ranging from Jazz, blues, contemporary, classical, love songs, ballads, etc. Style is of the utmost importance in all that I do…. from gentler background music over a meal in an intimate restaurant, to vibey up tempo music at a cocktail party. With the experience I have, I read a room exceptionally well and create the correct personal atmosphere for each function I do. I have made 3 CDs with the following titles, ‘Saxational’, ‘Merry Christmas with Love Debi’ and ‘After Midnight’ encompassing all of the above styles of music..

My music is beautiful, fun and memorable and will have your guests talking long after it is all over!