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Ashley Pezzotti

Born in Queens, New York, 23 year old vocalist Ashley Pezzotti discovered her love for music when her Dominican father would sing her classic Spanish songs to sleep. This fascination of music continued to grow, and at the young age of 4 years old she began her musical journey by taking classical voice lessons.

Ashley continued to study music throughout high school and attended Miami Arts Charter School. In her time there, she was selected to participate in the GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles (in both 2013 & 2014), and was named a YoungArts winner in Jazz and Popular voice categories. At only 16 years old Ashley performed on national television with country star Keith Urban at the American Country Awards for a viewing audience of over 5 million people. Ashley completed her undergraduate degree in 2018 at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music with a full tuition scholarship.

In the spring of 2019, Ashley participated in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program where she was mentored by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Casey Benjamin, Gregory Hutchinson, Marcus Printup, Peter Martin, and Chris Thomas, and performed her original compositions at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

Her 2019 album "We've Only Just Begun" is Ashley’s first straight-ahead jazz release, and it features an array of original compositions inspired by the Great American Songbook. The album features a world class band including Emmet Cohen on piano, Alex Weitz on tenor saxophone, Bob Bruya on bass, and Kyle Poole on drums. The release was accompanied by a national tour including performances at Birdland Jazz Club, The Velvet Note, The Nash, and The Jazz Showcase.

Ashley Pezzotti: Telling Her Story

by R.J. DeLuke
July 23, 2019

As a child, Ashley Pezzotti, from Brooklyn, by way of Miami, was singing and performing. It hasn't stopped. And though only 23, it seems she has a strong career ahead of her. The title of her first album, We've Only Just Begun, out earlier this year, is a harbinger by title. As a work of art, its very strong. It displays not only an outstanding vocal instrument with a sassy flair for negotiating the jazz genre, but solid ...

“The narrative of life, love and promise conjure the sensibilities of a bygone era, something particularly impressive for a 23 year old vocalist [...] A sound band, promising voice, excellent song selection and writing mark Pezzotti as a performer to watch.” — DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE

“With a driving band in step behind her, this set of originals show why she’s been such a comet, rubbing elbows with the best and taking home recognition in her wake.” — MIDWEST RECORD