CD Ashleigh Smith – Sunkissed

Experience the radiant debut of a contemporary jazz star.

Sunkissed marks the official Concord Music Group debut of Ashleigh Smith, the winner of the prestigious 2014 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Drawing on her classical training from the University of North Texas, Smith delivers a performance defined by an alluring alto voice and impeccable phrasing that breathes new life into the modern jazz landscape.

The album is a colorful fusion of genres, seamlessly blending jazz, R&B, soul, and Latin rhythms. Backed by a polished production featuring bossa-nova grooves and vibrant horn arrangements, Smith showcases her songwriting prowess on five original tracks co-written with longtime collaborators Nigel Rivers and Joel Cross.

Album Highlights:

• "Best Friends": A buoyant, lead single that masks the sting of a fading romance with a catchy, upbeat vibe.
• "Sunkissed": An empowering title track dedicated to celebrating the beauty of young girls of color.
• "Sara Smile": A soulful, "bright as a button" reimagining of the classic Hall & Oates hit.
• "Into the Blue": A wistful original that highlights Smith’s nuanced emotional delivery.

Whether she is tackling sensual love ballads or socially conscious themes, Ashleigh Smith establishes herself as an artist on the rise. Sunkissed is a sophisticated, accessible, and well-crafted introduction to a premier vocal talent.