Artist description When she opens her mouth -- you feel something important happening. The striking new voice on the scene, vocalist Ashley Meier brings something quite dynamic and passionate to jazz singing. An artist intent on developing her own voice and concept, her adventurous spirit mesmerizes her audience as they wait to see what she'll do next. Whether we’re sharing a poignant ballad or she’s laying down a swift latin, her voice moves from whisper to powerhouse and back again. A singer contrasting intense rhythmic phrases with long drawn bending tones, she improvises with intelligence and inspiration. Her expansive range reveals many colors and is used much like an instrument. Whether singing songs you already know or introducing you to her own music: She is a distinctive jazz force taking wing on the spirits of Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald. She now resides in Washington, D.C. where she works the tri-state jazz scene and performs at venues across the country. Her debut record album is due out in spring 2004.

Music Style Jazz Vocalist/Composer

Musical Influences Dianne Reeves/Betty Carter/Barbra Streisand/Ella Fitzgerald

Artist History Ashley was born in Toledo, OH. Her mother played piano and sang which started her interest in music at an early age. She took piano lessons from age 6-10 and continued after that to play on her own. During junior high and high school she was writing her own music with lyrics. Ashley sang in grade school choir and got in to the "showchoir" for her junior high and high school years. It was then she began her formal voice lessons with Carolyn Seeman. She studied English and Italian Art Songs, Italian and French Arias, and musical theatre selections from age 14 until 17 when she went to college. Ashley constantly participated in musicals and plays throughout those years and took ballet and jazz dance lessons steadily. College took Ashley to Cincinnati, OH where she studied opera briefly at the Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music with Patricia Berlin. She graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Psychology, and her professional singing career while living there. Her first jazz gigs were at The Cabaret in downtown Cincinnati with pianist Ed Moss. Ashley moved to Washington, D.C. at the start of 2001 and has studied both jazz piano and voice with Calvin Jones at the University of the District of Columbia.

Albums Wild Dream (coming spring 2004)

Press Reviews Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead 2003 In March 2003, Ashley was selected as one of four vocalist to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program held annually at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Program is an all-expenses paid week in the nation's capitol spent studing with jazz masters and concludes with three performances. Jazz Ahead is specifically for musicians who are both composers of original jazz and performers as well. Singer/Composer Betty Carter started the program in the early 90's to support young jazz musicians who were creating new music. Listen and watch Ashley's performance: Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Performance March 28, 03. Performing her original composition: "You Hear My Thoughts" (Begin Time: 18:50) Ashley Meier Interviewed on WPFW On March 26, 2003 Ashley was interviewed on Washington, D.C.'s WPFW - Home of the Real Jazz Radio Station 89.3 FM. She appeared on Ellen Carter's Wednesday night broadcast and listeners heard two pieces of her original music, "Two Young Souls" and "Peace Is On Its Way" and got to know her from Mrs. Carter's questions about music, composing, her musical training and future plans, as well as what it meant to be a woman in jazz. Listen online to WPFW and call in to request "Two Young Souls" at WPFW.org. Ashley Meier Receives Arts Grant In Spring 2002, Ashley was a recipient of Washington, D.C.'s Commission on the Arts and Humanities Small Projects Grant. With her funds, Ashley made her first recording to use as a demo. She recorded three of her original tunes and one arrangement of Miles Davis's "Nardis". Joe Kaplowitz on piano, Gavin Fallow on bass, Greg Holloway on drums, Ben Crandall on sax.

Location Washington, DC - USA

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