Wenso Ashby: Bio

Wenso Ashby - Producer/Keyboardist

Wenso Ashby, a talented songwriter, producer, and keyboardist is known for his rhythmic inventiveness and collective improvisation.

Wenso established himself behind the scenes in Washington, D.C. doing production in the late 1990's. He worked as a hip hop producer and session keyboardist at Oyaban Record's studios in Maryland and Virginia’s nationally recognized Cue Studio. Ashby was content in the background until artist’s manager Amanda Fielding prodded him to cross genres and start showcasing his playing and songwriting talents in smooth jazz.

In 2002, Wenso recorded the well-received album Midnite Walkin’, then relocated to Minneapolis to promote the silken sound he dubbed “Contemporary Jazz with Soul”.

Wenso Ashby has delighted audiences from coast to coast performing his style of music that embraces hard hitting groove based rhythms with timeless melodies and soulful vocals. It was this style that caught the attention of twin cities based Huber Entertainment that ultimately led to a distribution deal in 2008.

With his latest release, “The Moment of Truth”, Wenso has decided to once again be an independent artist. In his own words he is “Blessed” to share his gift with the world. Being an independent artist allows him creative freedom to record and perform. He loves performing live on stages from small intimate 100 seat venues to large festivals. He has open up for national recording artists like Saxophonist Kim Waters, Bassist Gerald Veasley, and Songwriter/Singer Kenny Lattimore, Jason "Malletman" Taylor, and Idol winner Ruben Studdard, and Paris Bennett. He has appeared on network TV and his music can be heard both nationally and internationally.

Discography
"Midnite Walkin" (2002)
"Wenso Live (2004)
"Love Is So Amazing" (2008)
"After Dark" (Love Is So Amazing packaged & released under Butterfly label 2009)
“The Moment of Truth” (2011)

Zsamé - Lead Vocalist/Songwriter

Zsamé grew up in Chicago, where she began singing at an early age. Her love of music compelled her to sing continually, and she began to write original songs as a young girl. She used soul and R & B music as her influences, and found inspiration in such female visionaries as Whitney Houston, Chaka Kahn, Mariah Carey, Natalie Cole and Etta James.

As a teenager, she grew accustomed to performing for audiences; singing at public events and with friends. Her love of performance and her personal style grew as she performed in her college years throughout the Twin Cities, MN area with a variety of musicians and as a solo artist.
In 1999 she recorded the beginnings of her first solo album with influences of soul and R & B, as well as her own fresh and sultry sound.

In the spring of 2004, she caught the notice of accomplished jazz artist Wenso Ashby. As the lead vocalist for Wenso Ashby Contemporary Jazz with Soul, she has appeared at multiple Minnesota jazz clubs, cafés and upscale restaurants. She has also lent her vocal talent to many charitable fundraising events, including appearances at Habitat for Humanity Taste of Minneapolis fundraisers, the African American Architects Scholarship Banquets, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota Walk around Como Lake, Ms. Minnesota's 1st Annual Kid's Day Minnesota and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Black MBA Scholarship Banquet.

She is a collaborator on the Wenso Live album in 2005, and has recently finished singing on Wenso Ashby's new release Love Is So Amazing.

Zsamé has found her true place in the world of smooth jazz. Her soulful vocals will have you feeling every bit of her emotions as if they were your very own.