These concerts are the North Carolina Symphony debut for Ashley Jayy.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Ashley Jayy began singing solos and leading choir songs in her local church and started her first formal training in gospel choirs. After winning the 2006 McDonald’s Gospelfest in Seattle, Jayy would compete again in New York at the legendary Apollo Theater.

On the music scene in Portland, Jayy worked with musicians including singer and songwriter Liv Warfield and saxophonist Mike Phillips. These ventures led her to meet Prince, with whom she soon began touring. She became a member of Prince’s New Power Generation band. In recent years, in addition to performing as a guest soloist in symphony concerts, she has sung with artists including Tank, Monica, Tevin Campbell, PJ Morton, and Jazmine Sullivan.