Ali won the award of ‘Best Jazz Vocalist’ in the 2014 Scottish Jazz Awards, and that same year she was nominated as 'Best Emerging artist ' and for the 'Best Jazz Album'.
Ali was nominated again in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 as Scottish Jazz Awards as 'Best Jazz Vocalist'.
Early jazz historian Ali has earned her solid reputation as the quintessential ‘go to’ vocalist for authentic trad Jazz / prohibition era blues and as she is also an American and a swing dancer, Ali is uniquely placed to deliver this music with authority. Representing the Pioneers of early music (particularly the forgotten heroines!) Ali's fresh interpretations breathe new life into this highly specialized music and this sees her leading the charge for bringing old school Jazz back to the attention of our modern ears! She is a resident musician at Edinburgh's Famous Jazz bar on Chambers Street and this is where she hosts her trademark 'Speakeasy Sessions’ - high energy events that feature the countries finest musicians performing early jazz, swing and blues - a favourite for the swing dance scene!
Ali leads three distinct old school bands:
The Copper Cats with their feisty, classic front line brass section perform traditional New Orleans Jazz and blues in a sizzling celebration of the birthplace of Jazz. With Ali singing several French and Creole songs it is always a heartfelt and authentic, juicy swinging New Orleans trad vibe.
The Gin Mill Genies are passionate about ‘pre electric' and piano-centric prohibition era blues, gospel and jazz. The band offer a chance to hear ancient rarely heard Southern blues songs performed with prowess.
Bedlam Swing has a lively repertoire that ranges from the red hot roots of jazz in the 1820s up to the 1950s. With their toe tapping set list, which includes standards from the Great American Songbook along with many lesser known songs, the band deliver a fresh and authentic approach to the roots of jazz.
With an ever growing repertoire, Ali delights in her "lifetimes work" of exploring the jazz archives to find ancient gems to share - from saucy and fun, to dark and sinister, her bands are working hard to resurrect amazing forgotten songs and as an early jazz historian Ali offers up interesting and educational stage chat in a bid to help keep this rich musical heritage alive!
Passionate, expressive, unique and above all, refreshingly unpretentious...Ali Affleck is the real deal - a bona fide Jazz and blues vocalist with a heartfelt vintage twist.
the Copper Cats are thrilled to be throwing a fabulous New Orleans swing dance party this year as part of the festival! We have a free dance lesson From 6-7... then the band starts at 8... between the lesson and live music you have an hour to practice your moves with a non judgemental and friendly bunch and the Aberdeen university swing dance society will be DJing from 7-8 :)
