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Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Jamie Ambrose has written music ever since she could reach a piano. She began lessons at age three, but no one realized she couldn't read music until seven years later - because she plays by ear. So she started over, got frustrated, quit the lessons, and started them again at university. She always kept playing, however: 'If I don't, part of me dies inside.'
After playing at private functions in the US, she became the Friday night spot in a wine bar in Aberystwyth, Wales, where she washed up to do post-graduate Celtic Studies after a year in Germany on a Fulbright scholarship. At the same time, she sent out songwriting demos to the likes of EMI, A&M, etc. - had responses of the 'It's not what we need now but focus on writing for our artists and get back to us' variety; unfortunately, she had to make a living, and journalism and editing took off instead. After many years in a 'very bad head space', she gathered all the courage she had and asked Never the Bride's amazingly talented Nikki Lamborn for voice lessons: 'Now, thanks to her training and encouragement, I have this "new" (and much improved) voice... Suddenly I'm writing again and feel a whole person. Thank you, Nikki!'
Awards include a first place in the International Narrative Song Competition 2006 (lyrics), and fourth place (lyric division) in Nashville's Music City Song Festival. In the last two years, she has also been a finalist (twice) and double semifinalist in the UK Songwriting Contest, a top finalist in the Great American Song Contest, and gained honorable mentions in both the Billboard World Songwriting Contest and the Unisong International Songwriting Contest.  'Don't Tell Me' is the first studio demo Jamie has done in over 20 years and it wouldn't have been possible without the multitalented (and endlessly patient) Dan Gareh of York Street Music. She has performed it and other songs at The Bedford, London, in August and December 2006, as part of the monthly Songbirds female singer-songwriters' night, hosted by Nikki Lamborn. 'The ultimate goal for me is to work as a songwriter, getting my work published and covered by other artists. Having said that, performing at The Bedford is a huge (and strangely enjoyable!) step on many levels – and an important one towards getting the music out there.'
Other songs will be uploaded here just as soon as the day job allows...
A boatload of thanks to the delightful Kim Collins for photographing the world's least photogenic subject: www.kim-collins.co.uk
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