Highlights
Adia Ledbetter is a Durham, North Carolina native whose musical journey began early, singing in church choirs and school ensembles. A passionate performer and dedicated educator, Adia has built a career defined by her commitment to the traditions of jazz while exploring new, creative interpretations of the genre.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a degree in Jazz Studies from North Carolina Central University, and a Master’s degree in the Jazz Studies program at CUNY Queens College.
Adia has established herself as a significant voice in the jazz community, known for her "flawless tone" and innate sense of rhythm.
- Discography:
- First Take: Her debut recording featuring the quartet Generations, which included her father, bassist Freeman Ledbetter, and the late pianist Yusuf Salim.
- Take 2: Rendezvous With Yesterday: Her sophomore album, described as a "window to her world," which beautifully blends classic standards from the Great American Songbook with her own original compositions.
- Awards & Honors:
- Honored for "Outstanding Performance" in the collegiate jazz vocal category of the 2006 DownBeat Student Awards.
- Selected to participate in the 2006 Kennedy Center Betty Carter Jazz Ahead International Jazz Residency.
- Named an Emerging Artist by the Durham Arts Council in 2008.
- Performance Highlights: Adia has performed alongside and opened for numerous jazz luminaries, including Hubert Laws, Nnenna Freelon, Jimmy Heath, Grady Tate, Freddie Cole, Antonio Hart, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet. She has also be honored to perform at venues ranging for Washington DC's Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall under the direction of Lenora Helm Hammonds.
Education & Advocacy
Beyond the stage, Adia is deeply committed to jazz education. As a teacher in the Durham Public Schools system, she brings her experience and passion for music into the classroom, aiming to "teach, nurture, and remind [others] of the great traditions of jazz".
She is an advocate for providing students with immersive musical experiences—including competitions, performance tours, and interdisciplinary STEAM activities—to help them grow as communicators, inquirers, and confident performers.-
Contact & Connect
- Location: Durham, NC
- Current Focus: Music Education and Performance
- For booking or inquiries, please reach out via social media or scroll down a leave a message here.
“I will continue to try and produce music that teaches, nurtures, and that reminds us of the great traditions of jazz.” — Adia Ledbetter
Proven results that speak for themselves.
