 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Alexis Hightower was born in Nashville, Tennessee, raised out West, and lives in New York City. Her definitive and souful style combines the rich melodies of Country Blues, the innovative spirit of live jazz, and the lyrical urgency of the urban poets of hip hop. Genres and categories notwithstanding, Alexis is at heart a musician. At the request of her mother, she started playing piano at an early age. She left home while still in her teens and she continued to write, perform and study. But it was the discovery of the musical contributions of Ellington and Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, that made her decide to study music the old fashioned way: in the clubs of New York City. From the beginning it was clear that Hightower's music was a brand new spin on old soul. Her live debut at Birdland Jazz Club found the young performer eagerly embraced by New York's hip hop and poetry scenes. Soon she found herself collaborating with a diverse range of artists, from poet/actor Mums, formerly of H.B.O.'s "Oz," to opening for soul griot and hip hop pioneer, Gil Scott Heron, at S.O.B's. She has worked for Roy Hargrove as the girl-singer in his big band, and her own 17-piece musical arrangement was performed live at a recent National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. Hightower's unique blend of old school soul, new school energy, and live instrumentation, has earned her respect in a host of musical circles. She had performed at Joe's Pub in New York City, along with S.O.B's. the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Public Theatre, and she recently opened the stage for master singer, Bobby McFerrin, on the mainstage at the San Sebastian music festival in Spain, where she was hailed as "the sweet promise" by the daily news. The summer of 2003 saw Hightower's return to Europe with a 6-piece band featuring Danny Osorio (guitars), George Farmer (bass), Mark Robohm (drums), Duane Eubanks (trumpet), Jeannie Oliver (viola), and Hightower herself at the keys. As the opening headliner for the 10th Mumyhua Music Festival in Austria, Hightower was in the spotlight on National News Television, where her music was praised as "seductive," and "enchanting" by the German language press. Hightower looks forward to her continued travels with her band as well as to building her catalog as a singer, writer and performer. What the future holds for this "sweet promise" is without a doubt more soul shaking and heart felt music. Check out the artist's website: http://www.ahightowermusic.com Track List: 1. Que Sera Sera Sera 2. December $, January Rain 3. I've Paid My Dues 4. Angel Juice 5. Bye Bye Blackbirds 6. Do Do Do Do Do Other Genres:
|