Adia Ledbetter was born in Durham, N.C. She started singing in elementary school and church and started taking voice lessons in high school. After high school, she took a break from voice lessons to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While attending college she had the opportunity to travel and sing jazz with pianist Yusuf Salim and bassist Freeman Ledbetter. After working in the field of Exercise and Sports Science for about three years, Adia decided to quit working to pursue her dreams of becoming a jazz musician.
Adia is a recent graduate of North Carolina Central University with degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Education. She has performed with the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the University Touring Choir. Her performing experience includes opening for jazz luminaries Hubert Laws, Nnenna Freelon, Jimmy Heath, Grady Tate, Freddie Cole Antonio Hart, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Adia most recently studied voice under the tutelage of Lenora Zenzalai Helm. She has also had the opportunity to study with Shelia Jordan, Madeline Eastman, Dena DeRose, Martha Flowers, Harold Mabern, Barry Harris, George Cables, Carmen Lundy and Jennifer Shelton.
Adia’s debut recording, “First Take” features Generations, a straight ahead jazz quartet spanning two generations.
Adia was chosen as an outstanding performer by DOWNBEAT magazine (June 2006) and was selected to participate in the 2006 Kennedy Center Betty Carter Jazz Ahead International Jazz Residency and Performance Project. In 2007 she was listed as a “vocalist to watch” in the NC Independent Weekly. In 2008 she was choose as an Emerging Artist by the Durham Arts Council.
After spending a year teaching middle school chorus, piano, and introducing students to jazz, Adia is currently pursuing a Master of Jazz Studies Degree at Queens College in New York. She is also performing with Generations, working on a second CD. She is dedicated to the preservation of jazz music and hopes to continue a successful career as a jazz vocal musician and educator.
Awards:
DownBeaT Magazine Student Awards 2006
Kennedy Center's Betty Carter Jazz Ahead 2006
Dac Emerging Artist Grant 2008
