Ava Lemert

Many years before her emergence in the contemporary jazz and R&B worlds as the Singing Saxstress™, Ava Lemert remembers the unique approach her father took to encouraging her musical dreams—and helping her get into her first jazz band in high school. A mechanics instructor at L.A. Trade Technical Collect (LATTC) who taught in the Yamaha Motorcycle program, Ava’s father bartered his instructor wages so that Ava could have a shiny new YAS 23 alto for her very first saxophone, straight off the dock from Japan in Long Beach

Many years before her emergence in the contemporary jazz and R&B worlds as the Singing Saxstress™, Ava Lemert remembers the unique approach her father took to encouraging her musical dreams—and helping her get into her first jazz band in high school. A mechanics instructor at L.A. Trade Technical Collect (LATTC) who taught in the Yamaha Motorcycle program, Ava’s father bartered his instructor wages so that Ava could have a shiny new YAS 23 alto for her very first saxophone, straight off the dock from Japan in Long Beach. Further developing her musical skills, she became the first female drum major at South Hills High in her hometown of Covina, California leading the band in parades and rehearsals, while performing on clarinet in concert band and alto sax in Jazz Band. The multi-talented performer’s powerful and versatile saxophone and vocal skills have earned her nonstop accolades and a tremendously loyal fan base as an indie artist and live performer since she did her first solo gig in 2008. Launching her recording career with her full length debut From My Soul in 2009, Ava has also released many digital singles, including her latest, the haunting sax/vocal tune “When The Night Falls,” for which she also produced her first music video. The lone cover among the compelling originals on her 2012 full length set 12welve (which, not coincidentally, has 12 cuts), the Neil Sedaka penned “Working On A Groovy Thing,” was produced by Roger Smith, longtime keyboardist for the legendary horn band Tower of Power. Following the success of 12welve, Ava released a special EP of requested cover songs, Ava L Soul, which features a unique reversal of roles on “Me and Mr. Jones,” Sade’s “Your Love Is King,” “If I Can’t Have You” and “Ooh Baby Baby.” To commemorate her birthday July 19, 2015, Ava will be releasing her next album, “Diamond in the Dirt” which has 12 originals (including a vocal penned entirely in Spanish), several breezy, beautiful instrumentals as well as 3 more cover songs, an original arrangement of “Breezin'” and “A Theme From a Summer Place” called “Breezin'-Summer Place Medley,” the Eagles country-rock classic featuring Ava's vocal range and lush harmonies on “The Best of My Love” and another harmony spectacular that includes Ava's smooth soulful tenor saxophone, Malo's Latin Soul Classic “Suavecito.” The release party will be at David Girard Vineyards on Saturday, July 18th from 7-9pm. The album will be in limited physical release and is available to pre-order for download on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. As Ava continues to perform steadily in and around her home region of Citrus Heights (near Sacramento), California—where she was recently appointed to the City of Citrus Heights History and Arts Commission—she has shown contemporary urban jazz audiences in Southern California why she’s been nicknamed “Tiny Dynamite” with several electrifying performances this past year. In October, 2012, she made her debut (twice!) at the 26th Annual Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, performing as both a saxophonist and vocalist for keyboardist Brian O’Neal and as a special guest of famed guitarist Peter White during his encore funk medley. Her sold out solo debut performance at the Orange County hotspot Spaghettini Grill in July, 2013, featured bassist Darryl Williams, drummer Tony Moore and keyboardist Hans Zermuehlen; a video of this show has been aired on the popular network Elements of Jazz TV. Though she pursued other creative endeavors (including graphic design) for a time after she graduated from USC, Ava returned to her first love, music, in the mid-2000s when she learned that Citrus Heights was starting up a community marching band. She found her old YAS 23 and joined up. From 2006-2008, she drew upon her sax and vocal talents to perform alternately with three regional ensembles: the On Air Band, a Tower of Power-styled 13- piece cover group; the 60 piece Capitol Pops Orchestra (which featured horns, woodwinds and a harpist) and Moonlight Swing, a Glen Miller WWII Tribute Band. Ava then began scoring numerous art gallery gigs, singing and playing her horn to backing tracks. While dealing with her mother’s illness and ultimately her passing, she also made a key connection through contacts with the radio station KSSJ in Sacramento to play shows at local retirement communities. This diverse array of live performances ultimately inspired her to start writing and recording her own music. “Whether I am recording an album in the studio or performing for a live audience, I love to create and move people emotionally,” says Ava. “Every song I play is very personal to me, and whenever possible I love to take the opportunity to share a little of the story behind it before I play. As exciting as it is to be onstage, I also love taking my sax into the audience and feeling closer to those I am playing for. Being able to make eye contact and know that you’ve touched people’s hearts and lives is truly gratifying, and I am grateful for every opportunity to connect with people in this way.’

Awards

Voting Member, The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) San Francisco Chapter 2015: Top 10 (out of 314) Best Local Band, KCRA A-List, Ava’s 4th year on the ballot! 2015: Association For Wedding Professionals International - Sacramento 2015: Three SAMMY Award Nominations 2014: Spotlight Artist of the Week, Elements of Jazz TV- Episode #5 featured 1st segment on Ava, Time- Warner Los Angeles Female Artist to Watch in 2014- Winter 13/14 issue of Jazz in M.E.E. Magazine 2013-2014: City of Citrus Heights History and Arts Commissioner- Appointed unanimously by City Council. 2013: Judge for West Coast Songwriters' Competition, Sacramento 2013: 5th Annual H.O.P.E. Awards- Nomination "Best Jazz Artist" 2012: Best of GigMasters Award- Perfect 5-Star Rating & 100% client satisfaction for every booking! 2012: 13th Annual Sounds of Soul Awards - Nominated in THREE Categories: "Best Jazz Performer", "Best CD and "Best Live Performer." 2012: 4th Annual H.O.P.E. Awards- Nomination "Best Jazz Artist" Performed vocals and sax with Peter White during his encore at the 25th JazzTrax Festival on Catalina Island 2012: SAMMY Awards Nominee & Finalist - "Best R&B/Soul" 2012: Inaugural Artists in Music Awards, Hollywood Key Club - "Best Jazz Artist" Nominee & Finalist (National, only Sacramento artist nominated across 18 categories, over 100 nominees) There have been many great milestones in my musical career since starting to perform in the Spring of 2008.

Gear

Tenor sax: 2006 Legend New York Custom Black Nickel Microphones: live vocals- Shure BETA 58 wireless wireless sax - Shure 89a studio: (2) Sterling Audio ST-59 large diaphragm condensers Reeds: Rico plasticover Ligature: Rovner dark mouthpiece: Rico Metallite 9M