Ashleigh Smith

I love jazz because...jazz encompasses all. Jazz is freedom. It is the ultimate expressive musical conversation. I was first exposed to jazz as an infant. I grew up in a family of musicians. I first fell in love with jazz when listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s scat solo on “How High The Moon”. I met Dianne Reeves, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and more... The best show I ever attended was...I can’t pick a best. But, I can say that seeing Dianne Reeves live changed my life. The first jazz record I bought was Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley. My advice to new listeners; Listen to it ALL. Listen to instrumentalist, vocalists, big bands, vocal groups.... just LISTEN.