Alyse Black Named March “Best Vocalist Of The Month" With Her Song, "Sally All My Days”
By Dale Kawashima
Alyse Black
Alyse Black, a jazz-influenced pop singer/songwriter based in Austin, TX, has won the March SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song “Sally All My Days.” This song is featured on her 12-song CD Too Much & Too Lovely, which she released independently in late 2007.
“Sally All My Days” is a distinctive, melodic piano-based pop tune, which showcases Black’s unique songwriting and performing style. The song starts off with an intimate piano intro, then segues into a more uptempo, full-band arrangement. This recording provides an excellent showcase for Black’s expressive, personal vocal style. She also skillfully produced this cut, with help from pianist Hans Brehmer.
Black was born in Seattle, WA, and she grew up in a musical environment – her father (who is a dentist) played ragtime piano for church and in musicals. She learned to play piano and guitar, and she has been inspired by such artists as Tori Amos, Billie Holliday and Ani DeFranco. During high school, she entered several talent competitions and fared well. In addition, she also performed the lead in musical theatre productions such as Annie.
For college, Black attended the University of Washington, where she graduated with degrees in International Studies, Business and Communications. She then landed a good corporate job, but ultimately she decided to pursue her music career instead. “I wasn’t happy working in the corporate world,” said Black. “I needed the thrill of being challenged and fully engaged creatively, and that comes from writing and performing my music.”
Alyse Black
As a result, Black focused on writing and recording her album, Too Much & Too Lovely, which she released at the end of 2007. The CD has attracted favorable reviews and honors – Black recently won first place in the Jazz category of the Billboard World Song Contest. Also, her songs have received substantial airplay on indie, college and internet radio stations. And impressively, her MySpace page has attracted 335,000 visitors to date.
Recently, Black has moved to Austin, TX, where she is forming a new band. This May, she will embark on her first tour, playing gigs in several cities, including festival shows (she is performing this month at South by Southwest). In addition, she has begun writing songs for her next album (to be released in 2009), which will introduce more pop/rock elements into her music, while still mostly maintaining her current pop/jazz sound.
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To enter the next "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Contest (the deadline is the last day of each month), please Click Here
