Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
ALISON WEDDING
Sometimes I Feel
(Jazzhead)
An American singer who settled in Melbourne a few years back, Alison Wedding won the Bell Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2004 with her debut CD, ‘The Secret’. Her new album is less overtly jazz-oriented in style and instrumentation, so may take some getting used to for fans who expect to hear a singer swinging through the standard repertoire. Even so, it confirms her reputation as a jazz singer of genuine talent. Wedding wrote all 15 songs on the album, focussing on relationship issues. Some feature her adventurous, well-controlled, wordless solos, but most feature her greatest asset, the ability to deliver lyrics with disarming emotional honesty. She enjoys spirited accompaniment from keyboardist Sam Keevers, bassist Ben Robertson and drummer Dave Beck, but it is guitarist Stephen Magnusson whose imaginative touches give proceedings a real lift. –
ADRIAN JACKSON
The Bulletin NineMSN February 21, 2006
- The Bulletin NineMSN
"Alison Wedding is the most impressive jazz singer to emerge on the Melbourne scene in quite a few years... Wedding certainly has an appealing voice, a strong technique and reliable intonation. But the qualities that make her stand out from the crowd are her ablility to explore and convey the emotion in a song's lyrics, and her ability to scat solos with both daring and control."
-Adrian Jackson, Rhythms magazine
- Rhythms Magazine
"Her alto voice is full of expression and she has a gift for improvisation and a sharp ear, avoiding cliches in her wordless vocalising by thinking like a horn player instead of trying to imitate one". -
Kevin Jones, The Weekend Australian
- The Australian
"That she is much more than just an Ella/Billie/Sarah clone is evident from the crystalline opening notes.... Wedding's voice is a vivacious and accurate instrument, which can be used to improvise with elan, or weight words to meaningful effect."
-John Shand, Limelight Magazine
- Limelight Magazine
"Possessed of an exquisite voice which is at once both sweet and strong... I can only feel envious of
Melbourne audiences who are treated to regular doses of this wonderful group... I unconditionally recommend them..."
-Melissa Forbes, Brisbanejazz.com
- Brisbanejazz.com
"She has been making quite an impact in Melbourne since her arrival in Australia...I caught her performing down at Wangaratta in October, where she won over audiences with her graceful stage presence and moving voice. Alison delivers her music with a refreshing honesty and energy. Her ballads are beautiful- she has that pure, deep, at times fragile tone that really stirs you."
Jasmine Crittenden, The Drum Media
- The Drum Media
"Given half a chance, Alison Wedding will lull you with her sweet sounding voice, thrill you once she starts to improvise and most certainly win you over with her ability to write songs of substance."
-Deb Morrice, Rave (Brisbane)
- Rave (Brisbane)
Discography
Sometimes I Feel (Jazzhead, 2005)
The Secret (ABC Jazz, 2003)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Alison Wedding has always been a singer. But it was not until high school in Dallas, Texas that she discovered the world of jazz. Fascinated by the harmonies, chord progressions and rhythms, Alison devoured the music of the worlds great horn players and singers. Her early influences included Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and horn players such as Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Michael Brecker. With her mentor, Dave Alexander, and through attending Jamey Aebersold summer workshops, Alison began to explore improvisation and today it is one of her great strengths. "It was the best learning experience being thrown into small ensembles with horns - I was expected to perform like one."
Alison studied jazz at The University of North Texas under Paris Rutherford and began singing professionally toward the end of her university studies. Her hunger to learn led Alison to Florida and, eventually, to the US West Coast, before heading to Australia, where she now resides. These travels presented a myriad of opportunities including singing backup vocals with Dianne Reeves, Diane Shuur, and the late Joe Williams and a guest spot recording with Andy Summers. These experiences exposed the young singer to a broad range of musical styles and expressions.
Enter the band - Sam Keevers (keys), Ben Robertson (bass), Stephen Magnusson (guitar) and Dave Beck (drums). Supported ably by these incredibly versatile musicians, Alison embraces the samba feel of Pretty Soon, the swing of Wackadoo Blues, the soul of For Good, the R&B of My Poor Hands and everything in between. Hours of practise and performance with these players have created an environment and familiarity that have given Alison the confidence to fully express the emotions embodied in her work. More than anything, I have wanted this recording to be honest, true, and to touch people. I have taken risks but I am letting people in.
Links
