Alyse Black Releases Debut Album

After getting three degrees in very responsible subjects at the University of Washington, Alyse Black headed off to start her fabulously successful and lucrative career in business strategy consulting for a large, well-respected consulting firm.

The trouble was that Alyse lived for music. It only took a few months of solid business trips for Alyse to quit to sing on the streets of Pike Place Market. “It dawned on me that I would never be more ready to start following my dreams than I am today,” explained Alyse.

Now that she’s busted out, her debut album is busting out, too. This Seattle-native, alternative-pop performer-songwriter will release her debut solo album, “Too Much & Too Lovely,” in November 2007.

While Alyse’s songwriting could be likened to the playful jazziness of Regina Spektor, Alyse’s voice has been described as a cross between the voices of Tori Amos and Norah Jones. Because Alyse’s major influences run the gamut from Billie Holiday to Tom Waits, the tracks of “Too Much & Too Lovely” are at once quirky and sultry.

Local professional musicians Hans Brehmer (piano), Mark Oi (guitar), Patrick McDanel (bass), Cody Rahn (drums), and Jeff Miller (trumpet) added their respected talents to the project.

The album was recorded and mixed by Reed Ruddy at Seattle’s Studio X and mastered by Will Quinnell at New York’s Sterling Sound.