Draft:Doris Spears

Doris Spears (born January 19, 1949) is a Black American jazz and blues musician, singer, and writer. A graduate of Mercer County College, she has released several acclaimed albums, including The Duchess and 9Fold Muse: Blues for Grown Folks, collaborating with notable artists and touring internationally. She is also the author of A Bit of Consciences: Prose Poetry & Ponderances and Zolta’s Wild Ride on the Pecker Express. Spears is the mother of Shahran Spears-Etherly, a Chicago-area Principal, and Aries Spears, a Comedian.

Early Life and Education

Doris Spears was born on January 19, 1949, in Lambert, Mississippi. She attended New York University for two years and Mercer County College for one year, where she pursued an interdisciplinary curriculum, majoring in Philosophy and American History. In addition to her academic studies, Spears also studied Nursing at St. Vincent's Nursing School.

Career

Spears built a diverse career as a musician, singer, and writer. In the 1980s, she nurtured her interest in music and writing while touring with the Lionel Hampton Band across the United States. She relocated from Chicago, Illinois to New York City, where her music career continued to flourish. Spears became known for her work as a jazz and blues vocalist, performing in venues throughout the United States and internationally.

In the 1990s, she toured extensively in Germany with producer Tilo Berg and collaborated with musicians such as Egil Kapstad, performing in Norway and Sweden. Her performances in these countries highlighted her ability to connect with audiences through her distinctive voice and style.

In addition to her music career, Spears pursued writing, authoring works such as A Bit of Conscience: Prose Poetry & Ponderances and Zolta’s Wild Ride on the Pecker Express. Her writings have been featured in literary publications, including The Kelsey Review, reflecting her versatility as both a performer and a writer.

Spears’ artistic career also involved collaboration with prominent musicians and producers, contributing to several recordings that blended jazz and blues influences. This combination of musical and literary talents has allowed Spears to maintain a multifaceted presence in the arts throughout her career.

Discography

• The Duchess (1999)
• 9-Fold Muse - Blues for Gown Folks (2002)
• The Duchess: Jazz & Juke Joints (2005)
• Whorology
• Christmas Come But Once a Year

Publication

• A Bit of Conscience: Prose Poetry & Ponderances
• Zolta’s Wild Ride on the Pecker Express

Personal life

Spears is the mother of Shahran Spears-Etherly, a Principal in the Chicago, Illinois area school system, and Aries Spears, a Professional Stand-Up Comedian known for his work on the 1990s sketch comedy series MADtv and as the host of the popular Spears & Steinberg podcast.