About Alyse

A Sultry, Playful Chanteuse

"Black boldly channels Bjork, Billie, and Bush (Kate, not GW). Best yet, this jazzy, arty, oddball epic also sounds like Alyse Black more than any of her influences."
- Roctober Magazine -
Alyse's Sordid Tale

Alyse left a short corporate career to busk as a singer on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle. One day, the pianist for a local jazz group wandered by, listened for a moment, and then explained that he liked her style. He needed another singer for a show that night at a local club. There was no looking back.

Alyse was born into a house of Ragtime piano and musical theater. She learned her first notes on the piano from her father before she can remember. She first ventured onto a stage alone to sing at age six. She began violin at 10 and quit violin at 11 in favor of voice. She began to toy with a guitar around 15. She first recorded in a studio at 17. At 18, Alyse felt the call of the singer-songwriter but couldn't follow. She then freaked out and didn't turn in a completed application to Juilliard at 19. Oddly enough, she went to business school and entered the corporate world. It didn't take long to realize that was a mistake. So she left to follow her passion on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle.

From trekking in Nepal to roadtripping the USA. From working for the US House of Representatives in high school to starring in musicals. Completing business school, running marathons, building schools in developing nations, attending modeling school, and living in many other countries. Alyse Black has had an eclectic life, so it’s no wonder her influences are quite varied for her debut album, "Too Much & Too Lovely."
Discography
"Too Much & Too Lovely" released at the end of 2007. The album is available for purchase at most major online retailers as well as Sonic Boom and Silver Platter stores in the Seattle area.
Last spring, Alyse released the EP, "Musical Chocolate for the Discerning Ear," with her samba-love song-jazz group, Thursty Love. Listen to "Musical Chocolate for the Discerning Ear"
Influences
Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Tori Amos, Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Ani Difranco, Portishead, Sarah McLachlan, Bjork, Eliott Smith, Tom Waits, Fiona Apple, Edith Piaf, Jude, Mazzy Star, Sparklehorse, Cranberries, Poe, Sarah Vaughan, Led Zepplin.

WHO IS ALYSE?

A crimson silk voice set to deceptively lovely pop tunes. In the same vein as Michael Bublé and Norah Jones, Alyse combines jazz sensibilities with a pop-rock sound to create sensual music that is winning the hearts of fans across many genres.

FAVORITE QUOTES

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.

– Anais Nin –

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

– Jimi Hendricks –

Life is just a ride. It’s just a choice right now between fear and love. 

– Anonymous –

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.  

– Mahatma Gandhi –

FAVORITE SONGS

1. Tori Amos’ “Purple People”
2.Tom Waits’ “Please, Call Me Baby”
3. Sting’s “Fields of Gold” as performed by Eva Cassidy
4. Norah Jones’ version of Elvis’ “Love Me Tender”
5. Billie Holiday’s performance of “The Way You Look Tonight”
6. Ani DiFranco’s “Joyful Girl”
7. Portishead’s “Wandering Star”
8. Nina Simone’s “I Loves You, Porgy”
9. Sarah McLaughlin’s “Angel”
10. Bjork’s “It’s Oh So Quiet”
11. Elliot Smith’s “Say Yes”
12. Regina Spektor’s “On the Radio”
13. Fiona Apple’s “I Know”
14. Edith Piaf’s “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”
15. Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me to the End of Love” as performed by Madeleine Peyroux

THE POINT

To make phenomenal music that inspires its listeners to follow their passion, love life, and live full-out.  To create a moment together where we both rise above the difficulties of our lives and see what beauty we have inside ourselves.  To make gorgeous music that makes people enjoy the afternoon a little more.  To make a difference.  