* En anglais uniquement
The sister of flutist
Hubert Laws, saxophonist
Ronnie Laws, and vocalist
Eloise Laws, singer
Debra Laws performed and collaborated with a veritable who's-who of jazz, funk, and R&B segments of the recording industry. After she was featured on recordings by her brothers, as well as Richard Roundtree's The Man from Shaft and
Aquarian Dream's
Fantasy, she signed to Elektra, where she released the 1981 album
Very Special. Produced by
Hubert and
Ronnie, it reached number 13 on Billboard's R&B chart, led by three charting singles, including the title song; a staple of the quiet storm radio format, the hit has been sampled for songs recorded by
Big Daddy Kane,
Mary J. Blige,
Jennifer Lopez, and
K. Michelle, among others. Though her career continued, she didn't release another album until 1993 -- Moments, for the Japanese Polystar label. Laws has performed in world-class concert halls and at some internationally renowned jazz festivals. Equally impressive are her numerous credits, including sessions for recordings by
Jeffrey Osborne,
Betty Wright, and
Stevie Wonder. Laws has also worked as an actor on Broadway and in a series of other stage and television productions. Her film credits include Crossroads and Jailbird Rock. ~ Nate Cavalieri & Andy Kellman