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Alex Nester

In an industry saturated with fly-by-night singles, auto-tune madness, and packaged artist-development, Alex Nester refuses to conform. Instead she brings the musicians back to the art of music-making with her highly anticipated soon-to-be-released 2nd album, BURN IT DOWN.

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Hometown	Simi Valley, CA
Genres	Funk/Groove & Soul Rock, R & B / Soul
Band Members	Alex Nester- Vocals; Marty Hillman- Keys; Tristan ... » more
Achievements	» more
Upcoming Shows	None

Contact Information:	Artist / Band Member Alex Nester squeelo@alexnestermusic.com (805) 750-4376
# Years Experience Performing Live:	2
Market Draw:	Los Angeles: 31-50
Venue History:	Verizon Amphitheater - Irvine, CA The Mint - Los Angeles, CA House Of Blues - Hollywood, CA Key Club - Hollywood, CA The Cat Club - Hollywood, CA Warner Park - Woodland Hills, CA Knotts Berry Farm - Buena Park, CA
Opener Experience:	Earth, Wind, & Fire; Chicago; Evelyn "Champagne" King; The Rascalls; Dave Mason; The Stylistics
Similar Artists:	Adele; Maroon 5; Alicia Keys; Stevie Wonder; Aretha Franklin
Discography:	Ratte The Walls LP—2009

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About the Artist

Alex’s unique sound is filled with messages of love, faith, positivity, and healing while channeling the retro soul artists of the 60’s and 70’s... Which only makes sense as she is currently touring as a backup singer for Tito Jackson (of Jackson 5...

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Music

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Achievements

June 2009 Blues

April 2009 Blues

Reached 87th in Best of Urban chart in 2011. In the top 100 for 3 weeks.

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Press Coverage

CDBABY.COM review by CDBABY.COM
What an amazingly soulful voice from this 24 year old cancer survivor. Although this album features a veritable "who's who" of top LA players, and even a guest appearance from The Four Tops, the real star here is the superbly talented Nester, whose voice reminds us of only the best: Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and even Norah Jones at times. She even co-wrote most of the songs on here, which is quite remarkable, given their timeless appeal. This is gutsy, joyful, soul music that will appeal to fans young and old.

INDIEUPDATE.COM Review by INBLAZE at Indieupdate.com
From the first note Alex Nester lets loose the listener will be mesmerized. Can a young woman (only 24) really bring such emotion, such passion to rhythm and blues or soul music? The answer from all quarters is an unqualified “yes!” Nester hails from Simi Valley, California and many who have experienced her talent in a live setting insist that they have seen a girl who was born to sing. It is just a bit difficult to believe that more people haven’t heard of Nester, considering that she has few equals in vocal expression and that she has worked with some of the classic performers of the past 40 years. Just one listen to a song such as “Unique,” is evidence enough that Nester’s Rattle the Walls CD is aptly named. Even a tune as understated rhythmically as “Key of Truth” showcases the remarkable control she has over her voice and the melody line. “The Music in My Life” and “Been Through it All” will have a special place in the favorite-song category for many listeners. Nester has already captured the Outstanding Female Vocalist title at the LA Music Awards event. But the biggest prize she won may have been battling through cancer to be diagnosed as cancer free. This information has allowed her to return to the studio and to live performances, and the crowds will undoubtedly be riveted.

America's Reply to Joss Stone, and then some... by Ron Melrose- Jersey Boys
Every once in a while a voice comes along that makes you stop, rewind and listen, rewind again and REALLY listen, then put down what you were doing, rewind one more time, sit down, and give it your full attention. Alex Nester is an amazing new singer-songwriter with soul beyond her years, and an instrument most singers only dream about. She's found a perfect collaborator and producer in Robby Robinson - these tracks sparkle with honesty, feeling, and GREAT musical choices. My personal favorite track is BEGGIN' -- as JERSEY BOYS music director, I eat sleep and breathe this song, but Alex and Robby have managed to give it about seven twists and turn it into something brand new. Big cheers all around -- I'm playing these tracks for friends and colleagues, spreading the word...

Soultracks.com Review by Peggy Oliver- Soultracks.com
There are many skilled vocalists who have the right ingredients: proper technique, lung power, and perfect pitch. Yet even those admirable attributes sometimes can not replace heart, soul, and a natural ability to deliver the goods in several genres. Two artists who have delivered the goods over the past few years are Cristina Aguilera and Joss Stone, each of whom first won audiences as teenage phenomenons and still maintains that soulful, gutsy fire with every note she sings. Many faithful music fans can now add twenty-four year old Alex Nester to that list. She may have not been the household name during her teenage years like Aguilera and Stone, but whenever Nester performs traditional or contemporary blues, an upbeat soul jam, or a convicting gospel piece, her vocals invite the listener in; holding their attention through all the verses, choruses, and hooks. With a resume that encompasses musical theatre, singing alongside legendary stars, and winning a regional music award at the age of sixteen, the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter now releases her debut recording Rattle The Walls. The disc produced by longtime associate - veteran producer/arranger Robby Robinson (Martha Reeves, Alphonse Mouzon) offers a full menu of urban delights: blues, gospel, R&B, soul, and jazz; all delivered with a compelling voice that has lived the professional highs and tackled the personal lows. Alex Nester - born Erin Alexandra Nester - grew up with musically inclined parents. Her father - jazz horn player Russell Nester, has backed Alex in the local blues band Gary Manker & The Blues Crew, and honed his craft in various regional jazz and swing bands for several decades. Her mother, acting coach Candace Nester, always encouraged Alex's vocal gifts. Since her first commercial for Yo-Gel at age nine, Alex always found steady employment. She has worked with top forty hit makers The Four Tops, The Fifth Dimension, and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. As a recording artist, Alex was part of the cross-cultural female pop/rock vocal trio, Knockout, who in 2004 recorded the independent disc Can You Hear Me Now and was also honored by the government of The Republic of China to represent the U.S. as goodwill ambassadors for modern western pop music. After paying all those dues on a regional basis, Nester reached her musical peak when she received the Outstanding Female Vocalist award at the 2000 esteemed L.A. Music Awards for her original composition, "Unique." Many musicians and critics raved about Nester's astounding vocal talents. Well-respected jazz fusion drummer/percussionist Mouzon dubbed Nester as "one of the greatest singers in the world." Bobby Burns Jr., the current trumpeter for Earth Wind & Fire puts her on par with other soulful voices: "a voice with the soul of Aretha, the song quality of Nancy Wilson, and the fire of Chaka." Unfortunately, after receiving her L.A.M.A. accolade, the following year brought an unforeseen illness that changed Nester's career goals for a short but very painful period. While recording her debut project with long time musical associate Robinson, Nester was stricken with cancer. Fortunately after a year of chemotherapy and lots of prayers from friends and family, she was declared cancer-free. Thus, Nester continued her recording journey which resulted in Rattle The Walls from independent label Squeelo Records. Rattle The Walls really rattles with plenty of passion from Nester's gigantic voice. This disc also transports the listeners with a retro, organic sound that will take listeners back to those raw soul and blues music days from record labels like Motown, Stax, Hi, and Malaco. Everything on Rattle The Walls is on-point as Nester easily navigates her way through upbeat jams and poignant ballads. For starters, "Unique" (which won Nester the L.A. Music Award in 2000) has a traditional blues feel with lyrics encouraging people to avoid being controlled by what others think. Another blues burner, "Been Through It All," is a song declaring victory over her bout with cancer and all her other disappointments: "I've been through the test, I had to show what I learned." The soul classic, "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know;" covered by many artists like Donny Hathaway, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Elliott Yamin, perfectly showcases Nester's charismatic voice. "Key of Truth" cleverly stirs up tidbits of funky top forty classics: "Takin' It To The Streets" by the Doobie Brothers and "Serpentine Fire" by Earth Wind & Fire. Speaking of classics, Nester joins The Four Tops on the signature Motown hit, "Can't Help Myself." There is more Motown in store with a medley dedicated to some of the best of Stevie Wonder entitled "Sir Stevie." This is by far my favorite moment because Nester matches Wonder's energy level and integrity in her own incomparable way, and somehow manages to successfully piecemeal "Superstition" with "As," "You Haven't Done Nothin', "Livin' For The City," and "Have A Talk With God" into a funky jazz delicious stew. Assisting Nester on Rattle The Walls are a host of musicians mostly based out of the Los Angeles area, many who have worked with Nester during her younger years, including Nester's father Russell and producer Robinson. These longtime musical connections are another reason why this exhilarating disc is worthwhile listening. Both fans and musicians will certainly continue to champion this young singer/songwriter to aim for the greater heights in the music industry. With Rattle The Walls, Nester already has joined the ranks of Aguilera and Stone as young female voices that realize the essence of soul music - impressive song interpreters who never cheat their audiences with their performances. Overall, no matter what Nester accomplishes in the entertainment industry, she has all the qualities and charisma in developing her own star; perhaps maybe on the Hollywood Walk of Fame someday. Highly Recommended

The Urban Music Scene Review by Marvin Dickey at T.U.M.S
Even though Teena Marie still rules the charts, as being what we consider respectfully the lady of “Blue Eyed Soul”, and she has made her mark in the R&B world....There are countless other that are trying to get to that coveted spot. Alex Nester poses a severe threat to the entire genre that is trying to make it to the top. Alex’s newest effort “Rattle The Walls” does exactly that with this gospel, rock, r&b, funk cd. Alex has all the bases covered, especially with the a-list musicians she has incorporated: From Alphonse Mouzon, Eric Marienthal, Brandon Fields, & Zoro, to the last track featuring the Motown Legends -The Four Tops. Singing professionally since the age of nine, her resume already includes 12 albums, countless jingles, and over 25 theatrical productions, as well as working with top musicians. The album starts off with a Gospel styled song call “Unique” and continues throughout with different styles of music. Track 8, “Sir Stevie” is a funk infused production dedicated to the legend himself -Stevie Wonder. The last track of the amazing cd is the Motown Classic “Can’t Help Myself”, featuring the Four Tops, and it’s a beautiful version. The voice of a true singer is here on the project and has the power of Aretha Franklin, the compassion of Anita baker, and the fire....and I mean.... fire of Chaka Khan, all rolled into one awesome package!

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