"Alison writes tunes with surprising and memorable melodies, interesting harmonies, and well-conceived lyrics, and she uses her voice and spirit to put all these parts together into one beautiful whole artistic sensibility." – Chris Potter, ECM recording artist
"Alison is a sensitive and inspiring musician and composer. Her voice is pure, fluid, beautifully in tune. She is an amazing songwriter."- Lionel Loueke, Blue Note recording artist
Alison Wedding started her music career at age two, singing for family and friends in the living room. But it was not until she walked into a jazz ensemble at her fine arts high school in Dallas, Texas, that she was first introduced to jazz. The harmonies, chord progressions, and rhythms fascinated her. She listened constantly to horn players, learning their solos, and with the help of her mentor Dave Alexander, Alison began to explore improvisation, which has become one of her greatest skills.
Her early influences included Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and horn players such as Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Michael Brecker. She went on to study jazz at University of North Texas under the guidance of Paris Rutherford and began to sing professionally in the Dallas area. One of her career highlights was singing with the One O'clock Lab Band with the late Gerry Mulligan.
Upon receiving her degree, Alison moved to Los Angeles to further develop her career. There she spent 4 years, performing professionally, both live and in the studio, as well as teaching voice and piano. Career highlights included touring as a back-up singer with Kevyn Lettau, and recording with artists such as Andy Summers (formerly of The Police) on his CD "Peggy's Blue Skylight."
After moving to Australia in January 2001, in addition to teaching at major music schools in Melbourne, she was fortunate to play with many truly amazing musicians, including Sam Keevers, Jamie Oehlers, Colin Hopkins, Peter Knight, Bob Sedergreen, Joe Chindamo, Kate Ceberano, Richard Clapton, just to name a few. Alison's first solo CD, "The Secret", was released in September 2003 on the ABC Jazz label. She toured Australia celebrating this release, and shortly thereafter, The Secret went on to win the 2004 Bell Award for the Best Vocal Jazz Album in Australia.
Alison's second CD ,"Sometimes I Feel", was released on the label Jazzhead in October 2005. This album, consisting entirely of Wedding's compositions, was a more modern departure from her previous acoustic release. Later in that same year, Alison was named a semifinalist at the Wangaratta Jazz Competition, and the following year she won the Gibson-May award at the London International Vocal Jazz Competition.
Alison moved back to the US in 2007, choosing NY as her new base to continue on her musical journey.She has performed at various venues, including Rockwood Music Hall, Cornelia St. Cafe, and The 55 Bar as both a solo artist and background singer. Her current band lineup is Snarky Puppy leader Michael League (bass), Ross Pederson (drums), and Pete McCann (guitar). Alison still has a deep passion for teaching voice and improvisation, and is an associate professor in the voice faculty at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her new album, "This Dance", featuring strings and special guests Chris Potter, Lionel Loueke, and Theo Bleckann, will be released on the GroundUP label (Ropeadope) in May 2012.
