When you think of soul sistas from Dallas, Texas, the usual suspects come to mind: Erykah Badu, N'dambi, Carmen Rodgers. Now there's a new name to add to that illustrious list with the debut of Ashleigh Smith. The 27-year-old singer/songwriter is in good company with her fellow Dallas divas, but she has a style all her own that blends jazz, soul and funk. This perfect blend will be showcased on Smith's debut album, Sunkissed, which is scheduled to be released on Concord Records later this month.
Ashleigh Smith calls Dallas home now, but her story started in west Georgia, the daughter of a pianist/school band director. Her love of music grew organically in her household, she discovered her passion and she honed her craft over the years. Ashleigh continued to work toward her goals and enrolled in Columbus State University before transferring to University of North Texas, after attending a jazz camp there. She switched her major from classical music to jazz, and she thrived. Her hard worked paid off when she won the prestigious 2014 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocals Competition. That accolade alone speaks to her vocal prowess, and Ashleigh Smith's vocals truly speak for themselves.
