Music
Press
'A stunning lyricist. "Fathers and Daughters" is simply beautiful.' - Narrative Music Canada
'Thoughtful & clever lyrics, heartfelt song!'
Of 'The Back Streets', March 2, 2008 - indie-music.com
...at the Bulls Head Sessions Bank Holiday Special (that's a mouthful...), where there were an array of inspiring female artists playing. The ones that really stood out for me were Jamie Ambrose (http://www.myspace.com/jamieambrose and Susy Thomas (http://www.myspace.com/susythomasmusic) - Katey Brooks
Discography
Currently working on an EP.
Photos
Bio
Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Jamie Ambrose has written music ever since she could reach a piano. She began lessons at age three; no one realized she couldn't actually read music until seven years later - because she plays by ear. So she started over, got frustrated, quit the lessons, and started them again at university. She always kept playing, however: 'If I don't, part of me dies inside.'
After playing at private functions in the US, she became the Friday night 'feature' in a wine bar in Aberystwyth, Wales, where she washed up to do post-graduate Celtic Studies after a year in Germany on a Fulbright scholarship. At the same time, she sent out songwriting demos to the likes of EMI, A&M, etc. - had responses of the 'It's not what we need now but focus on writing for our artists and get back to us' variety; unfortunately, she had to make a living, and journalism and editing took off instead. After many years in a 'very bad head space', she asked Never the Bride's amazingly talented Nikki Lamborn for voice lessons, purely with a songwriting view in mind: 'Now, thanks to her training and encouragement, I have this "new" (and much improved) voice... Suddenly I'm writing again and feel a whole person.'
Awards include first place, lyric division, of the International Narrative Song Competition (2006). In the last two years, she has also been a finalist (twice) and double semifinalist in the UK Songwriting Contest, a top finalist in the Great American Song Contest, and gained honorable mentions in both the prestigious Unisong International Songwriting Contest and the Billboard World Songwriting Contest. Her songs have recently featured regularly in the top ten charts in Broadjam.com's folk categories (contemporary, rock and overall).
'Don't Tell Me' is the first studio demo Jamie has done in over 20 years and it wouldn't have been possible without the multitalented (and endlessly patient) Dan Gareh of York Street Music. She performed it and another number at The Bedford, London, in August and December 2006, as part of the monthly Songbirds female singer-songwriters' night.
'The ultimate goal is to get the songs published and heard - whether that's by me or by other artists doesn't matter. Having said that, performing at The Bedford was a great experience on many levels – another one towards getting the music out there.'
Note: gigging has been on hold recently due to unforeseen circumstances, but these are currently being sorted out.
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