Alison Margaret is a gifted jazz singer, arranger, composer, and pianist. She hails from Chicago, where she studied at the prestigious Columbia College, earning a degree in vocal jazz performance. Alison has worked with some greats from the Chicago jazz scene, such as Laurence Hobgood, pianist, arranger, and composer, best known for his partnership with Kurt Elling; trumpeter and composer Orbert Davis; and William Russo, the late-great composer-founder of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. In late 2007, she collaborated with Hobgood to record her debut CD, “Come Sunday,” released on the Violet Records label.
Alison now lives in Madison, WI, where she leads the Alison Margaret Jazz Quintet, featuring the brilliance of vibraphonist Geoff Brady, pianist Dave Stoler, bassist John Christensen, saxophonist Eric Koppa and drummer Michael Brenneis.
Alison Margaret released “Shades of Morning” in 2009. The 10-song set features Alison’s pristine, fluid vocal styling and improvisation over innovative arrangements and stellar performances of American jazz and folk classics, plus tunes rarely heard in the jazz repertoire. “Shades of Morning” suggests Alison’s Chicago roots, reminiscent without being derivative of Hobgood and Elling. Sophisticated harmony and rhythm, improvisational creativity, and Alison’s atmospheric and supremely musical singing are the CD’s hallmarks.
Alison is also an accomplished pianist. Throughout 2009 and 2010, she performed Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Koln Concert for packed, appreciative audiences in Madison, Rockford, and Syracuse.
Alison has been singled out as Critic’s Choice an unprecedented number of times in Isthmus, Madison’s premier entertainment tabloid. The Alison Margaret Jazz Quintet has performed at Madison’s Jazz at 5 festival 3 times, Milwaukee’s Third Ward Jazz Festival, Isthmus Jazz Festival, as well as at Monona Terrace, the Brink Lounge, Jazz on the Park, Memorial Union, Opus Lounge, and a host of other venues—anywhere jazz is heard and played. Alison has also performed at many famous Chicago jazz haunts and festivals, including the Green Mill, the Hot House, Jazz Showcase, and the Navy Pier.
Alison’s relationship with jazz is both deep and broad, spanning the continuum between performance and formal education. She has a master’s of music with a focus on jazz performance and education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
