Jazz Singer Alicia Waller Performs Live

Summary

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Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart — Jazz Singer Alicia Waller Performs Live

Aired: June 23, 2026
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Alicia Waller (Jazz Singer, Composer, Teacher)
Album Featured: Louder Than

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the vibrant artistry of New York vocalist Alicia Waller, who discusses her evolution from classical to jazz-influenced music, the meaning behind her debut album Louder Than, and her inspirations as both a performer and teacher. The program interweaves live in-studio performances with heartfelt conversation about craft, community, identity, and the power of dreams.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Alicia Waller’s Musical Evolution

• From Classical Roots to Fusion (05:26–06:08):
  • Alicia describes how she transitioned from a classical opera background to writing and performing soul and jazz-infused music:

    “I was interested in the application or the exploration of soul music, American soul music that I grew up listening to... but as applied with a kind of classically informed vocal technique and a very soulful and jazz-influenced fusion.” (B, 05:34–06:08)

Significance of the Album Title: Louder Than

• The Boldness of Self-Expression (06:08–07:06):
  • Alicia explains the personal declaration behind the album’s title:

    “It's a reminder to be louder and to be bold with my sound... I promised myself that... I would remind myself to be brave.” (B, 06:20–07:06)

Surprises in Making a Debut Album

• Discovering Her Voice as a Songwriter (07:06–07:58):
  • Alicia speaks candidly about the unexpected realization of her own authorship:

    “Discovering that I had something to say and giving myself the space to say it, but also the honor to say it as well.” (B, 07:09–07:58)

The Value of Classical Training (08:59–09:41)

• Alicia credits opera technique for her vocal resilience, sharing:

  “I don't get vocally exhausted... I was trained to, you know, sing through an hour and a half unamplified. So... I can get through, you know, a few difficult stretches.” (B, 09:06–09:41)

Influence of New York & Harlem (14:34–15:23)

• Waller reflects on the city’s inspiration:

  “The city pushes you to find yours, like what really is the thing that you have to offer and to give to this world of music.”

  • She credits Harlem’s legacy and her role at the Harlem School of the Arts for grounding her.

Teaching and Its Rewards (16:01–16:43)

• Alicia shares how teaching keeps her connected and inspired:

  “I appreciate my students so much because they help me to keep a more pure heart, a more optimistic heart, and... teaching gives that to you.” (B, 16:04–16:43)

On Representation and Empowerment (18:58–19:58)

• Dedication to Young Black Girls:

  “It is very important to me to communicate to younger girls than me that their minds are valuable and... they can pursue it.” (B, 19:07–19:58)

The Importance of Dreams (20:00–20:48)

• Alicia advocates for the necessity of dreaming:

  “Dreams are what moves us forward... we take a step towards bettering ourselves as a community, a global community, just at every level of humanity.” (B, 20:00–20:48)

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Live Performances & Notable Moments

1. “Clouds” (01:14–05:20)

• Performed live with Alicia’s band, showcasing the jazz-tinged blend of her earlier work.
• Notable Lyric:

  “No crown above me, got a braid in my hair, he said I was so pretty...” (C, 01:58–05:20)

2. “Dream Song” (10:15–13:40)

• Inspiration: The melody came to Alicia in a dream.
• Quote:

  “I was sitting in an audience and I thought to myself, in the dream, man, I wish I wrote that. And then I realized... you did because it was your mind.” (B, 13:49–14:34)

3. “My Day, Part 2” (21:25–24:51)

• Described by Alicia as "the gutsy one," dedicated to "creative types and artists to believe in the visions that they have and to keep pursuing them." (B, 21:02–21:21)
• Alison Stewart notes the powerful bassline and band energy.

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Memorable Quotes

• On artistic bravery:

  “Every time I say the title and every time others hear the title, I hope that that kind of sentiment is felt. That it's meant to be loud and it's meant to be bold.” (B, 07:06)

• On dreams and creativity:

  “When we take the chance to dream, I think that we take a step towards bettering ourselves... at every level of humanity.” (B, 20:34–20:48)

• On inspiration for young girls:

  “We don’t have as many images of... being a dreamer. And it’s very important to me to communicate... that their minds are valuable.” (B, 19:07–19:58)

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Band Personnel Introduced (09:44–10:13)

• Marcos Varela: Bassist, co-producer, co-writer
• Takahiro Izumikawa: Keyboards
• Philippe Clement: Guitar
• Alan Mednard: Drums

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:14 — First song “Clouds” live performance
• 05:26 — Alicia discusses her artistic progression
• 06:20 — Meaning of the album title
• 07:09 — Surprises in creating her debut album
• 08:09 — Alicia’s early love of music and influences
• 09:06 — Impact of opera training
• 09:44 — Band introductions
• 10:15 — “Dream Song” live performance
• 13:49 — Story behind “Dream Song”
• 14:38 — How New York City and Harlem influence her music
• 16:01 — Teaching at Harlem School of the Arts
• 18:58 — Album dedication to “little brown girls, the dreamers”
• 20:00 — On why kids must keep dreaming
• 21:25 — “My Day, Part 2” live performance
• 24:51 — Episode wrap-up and gratitude

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Tone & Style

Alison Stewart’s tone is warm, supportive, and inquisitive, while Alicia Waller speaks with gratitude, candor, and gentle confidence. The conversation balances artistry and technicality, personal journey and broader social context, with a focus on empowerment, creativity, and legacy.

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Summary prepared for All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC, Episode: Jazz Singer Alicia Waller Performs Live (June 23, 2026).

Transcript

[A]

All of it is supported by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In a small groundbreaking clinical trial, 100% of participants with a specific type of rectal cancer saw their tumors disappear using immunotherapy alone. Researchers at MSK are now studying this approach in cancers of the stomach, liver and more. And a majority of tumors are disappearing. For MSK Giving day, all gifts will be tripled. Learn [e-mail] all of it. This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Recently, New York vocalist Alicia Waller released her debut album. It's called Louder Than. On the album you'll hear the strength and the range of her voice and breadth. That's because she's a trained opera soprano, but you'll also hear her influences like Marvin Gaye. There's even a cover of a Donny Hathaway track. But the rest of the the rest of the album is written or co written by Waller. Louder Than is out now. Alicia Waller is here with us and her band to perform live in studio. Welcome to wnyc.

[B]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so honored.

[A]

We're going to start with a song. What are we going to hear?

[B]

We are going to start with actually a song that's a bit of a throwback to kind of show the trajectory of where I'm coming from. This is called Clouds from my first EP, Some Hidden Treasure.

[A]

This is Alicia Waller.

[B]

1, 2, 3, 4.

[C]

No crown above me got a braid in my hair he said I was so pretty so pretty, so pretty Daybreak above midnight a hint of despair and there is a light for me finally shining Dreaming of a sunny day you know how they say Chasing all the crowds away Narrative with family baby Dreams for me not you you know how we do Just one of my no shoes Loving, loving and family day Hurry up, hurry up hurry hurry up hurry up hurry hurry up hurry up hurry. Time around me spinning past all day long it says to me patiently we read it's time for me Nights come upon you but lights break at dawn so just take it easily Faith and it will be dreaming of a sunny day Big hearts and laughs I pray you know just how they say Love me, love me with family maybe Dreams for me not you youu you know how we you just want a minute. Hurry up, hurry up hurry hurry up hurry up hurry hurry up hurry up hurry. Day and day adore and day day and day.

[A]

That's Alicia Waller you mentioned. That was from before you put out your debut album.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And you want to talk about Your evolution?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How did your sound evolve to what we hear on the new record? From clouds to the new music.

[B]

Sure. So when I put out this, that first project in 2020, I was coming right out of classical music and I was kind of discovering my sea legs with songwriting and in world building, what I was interested in expressing and discover. And I think what I have found is that I was interested in the application or the exploration of soul music, American soul music that I grew up listening to in the car with my parents, but as applied with a kind of classically informed vocal technique and a very soulful and jazz influenced fusion.

[A]

Let's talk about the new album, Louder Than. That's with a comma in between the two words and it's T H E N. Yes. What does that title mean for you?

[B]

Yeah, that's a bit of a declaration to myself. It's a reminder to be louder and to be bold with my sound. I kind of joke. But also it's very much a truth that, you know, some performers seek the stage at all times. I'm somewhere in between. I enjoy the stage, but I also don't crave it. 24 7. But yet when it comes to sharing my work, it is important. I believe in a very bold and courageous sound. And I promised myself that this time when I put out my debut album, I would be louder than I was before. I would remind myself to be brave. And so every time I say the title and every time others hear the title, I hope that that kind of sentiment is felt. That it's meant to be loud and it's meant to be bold.

[A]

What surprised you in making your debut album?

[B]

Oh, interesting. I think I. I think I was surprised that it was actually happening. I know that sounds wild, but I think when you are, especially when you're trained in classical music, there is very much a separation between composer and vocalist and you know, for me, soprano. So a singer rarely expects to ever write anything. And so I kind of always expected for myself to just be a voice. And so this work is kind of a bit of a surprise in that discovering that I had something to say and giving myself the space to say it, but also the honor to say it as well. I think that that's most surprising, that one, there is an opinion and two, I kind of like it. Like I dig the sound, you know.

[A]

My guest is vocalist Alicia Waller. She's here to perform live with her debut album, Louder Than. It's out now. When did you first become passion about music?

[B]

About music? I've loved music I think so many of us. You know, I'm sitting here with a bunch of really incredible musicians, and we all gravitate to it at a very young age. It's the only thing I ever wanted to be and do. I remember telling my aunt when I was, like, 2 or 3 years old that I want to be a singer, and she kind of gently encouraged me, you know, don't you want to be a school teacher or something else? And that's all I ever wanted, listening to people like Marvin Gaye as you referenced these fantastic. Again, world builders. I always say world builders because I love the sounds that you can get lost in, the sonic worlds that you can get lost in. And I always admired where a sound could go, you know, and what someone could create. And so, again, getting the chance to do that is just a dream.

[A]

What's been useful about being someone who has studied opera when approaching R and B. Yeah.

[B]

So I think, one, I don't get vocally exhausted, which I'm pretty proud of. I know my instrument, I know it in different contexts. And having that technique behind me, there's not a, like, a rehearsal period or a performance stretch that I feel that I can't get through, because at the end of the day, I was trained to, you know, sing through an hour and a half unamplified. So if there's that there, then surely I can get through, you know, a few difficult stretches.

[A]

We're gonna hear another song, but could you introduce us to the band?

[B]

Oh, I would love to. So I'm actually gonna start with Marcos Varela, who is my bassist and co producer and co writer on a number of songs. He has been with me from the beginning, and it's been a pleasure kind of growing with him over the years. We also have Takahiro Izumikawa, who was on the keys, who recently traveled, getting over some jet lag from Japan. We have Philippe Clement, who's on guitar, and we also have Alan Mednard on drums.

[A]

All right, what are we gonna hear next, Alicia?

[B]

We're gonna hear a song called Dream Song for your, which came to me in a dream. 1, 2, 3, 4,

[C]

Goodbye closing my eyes Writing a song for you and why Endeavoring it by I dream for all the things we do we fly over the skies Forest flowers bloom for loom Joy to my life Hopes, curiosities and forever inside I'd hold you as the king for me, for the poems that you write and all that we could be for you Anything and everything for you. Your gift, your heart you gave to Me before I knew with leaves as sweet and soft as morning do for you. For the thumbs we read your mind and courage too are your secret sides I love is best I know to do for the fun that we have. And there's some moments too for you Anything and everything for you Your gifts, your heart you gave to me before I knew with lips as sweet and soft as morning dew for you.

[A]

That was Dream Song from Alicia Waller. Her new album is called Louder than that. Came to you in a dream. What were you dreaming about?

[B]

Well, the melody came to me in a dream. This is actually a co write between Marcos and I. When I first dreamed it, I really did. It's very funny one. I was sitting in an audience and I thought to myself, in the audience in the dream, man, I wish I wrote that. And then I realized I woke up and I was like, ah, but you did because it was your mind. So I sang it for Marcos and it was one of those moments where I didn't know where to go with it. And he was like, you know, Alicia, I really think that this could be like a beautiful bossa nova. Which I was like, oh, oh. Because we had been doing a lot of global work together and a lot of kind of like Latin explorations and he kind of, you know, had the idea to kind of take it there and we discovered this beautiful world together.

[A]

So you live in New York now? Yes, I do. So how does the city inform your music?

[B]

Oh, man, I think one, the city pushes you, it pushes you to strive. There's so many people that have one great talents and two great things to say. So you, it pushes you to find yours. Like what really is the thing that you have to offer and to give to this world of music. Also I think I live in Harlem and I do think about like the legacy of all these great musicians that have, have lived in Harlem who might have been on the very block that I live on, you know, in like decades prior. And I also work at Harlem School of the Arts, which is a very rich and beautiful arts programming space. So it kind from all directions inspires you constantly.

[A]

It's kind of amazing having your debut album now considering the Knicks won it's World cup, the schomburg celebrating its 100th anniversary. There's so much happening around this, this moment when you're having your debut album come out. What has the experience been like for you?

[B]

I kind of feel like I, I'm kind of like getting to jump into this great. It kind of feels like a Roman festival period. You know, like, 40 days of festivities. You know, I really was thinking about that just the other day, and I get to have, like, my little banner that's, like, a part of the festivities, which is fun.

[A]

It was interesting. You said that you teach at the Harlem School of Arts.

[B]

I do.

[A]

What do you get out of being a teacher?

[B]

Oh, man. So much. I think being a teacher, one, it makes you break down the voice for me, because that's my instrument for any teacher. Break down your instrument, you know, to understand it more intimately so that you can communicate it with a young mind. I actually put this in my album credits. I appreciate my students so much because they help me to keep a more pure heart, a more optimistic heart, and I think that teaching gives that to you. And additionally, it one just again, takes you back to the intricacies of the instrument, how it works, and really kind of get your foundation solid.

[A]

It's kind of interesting. Sometimes kids will say stuff that blows your mind a little bit. What is something that one of your students has said that you said? I had to go think about that for a minute.

[B]

Oh, wow. There's one that comes to mind, but I'm too embarrassed to say it.

[C]

My.

[B]

You know what? I can't say something that a student said. But I got the best hug from a student the other day. She's 10 years old. Her name is Ava. And I told her, okay, I'll see you next year. And she gave me this hug that was like, just everything, and it made me think, you're doing all right, Alicia.

[A]

Oh, that's amazing. You know, when we're talking, you're talking about your vocal craft, and people have said it's your instrument, but it is your instrument, of course. How do you take care of it?

[B]

Oh, okay. So one, I believe in lots of things, but also very little light touch as well. So singers can get. I'll go with the light touch first. Singers can get very worked up in all the things that one must do. And I think that for me, I found that it's helpful to hold it lightly so I don't get too worked up in. You know, if I don't have this, then I won't be able to sing, or if I don't have that, I won't be able to sing. But there are certain things that one should not do before if one sings. One should not eat almonds, One should not drink milk.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

One should probably not be overly dehydrated. And then I. You know, again, coming from the classical world, there's certain kind of technical approaches that I have, I believe very much in kind of like a head voice approach, which is boring and nerdy, but

[A]

people love to hear about that.

[B]

Well, you know, my students will listen to me talk all day about the open throat, leaning on the air, and a head voice approach.

[A]

How did you find your sort of your voice as an artist? We talked about the practical aspects of it, but how did you find the artistic part of it?

[B]

Yeah, I think that that is something that I. And I think most artists are in a constant discovery of. I do think that I'm settling into it now. I do kind of feel my.

[C]

Aha.

[B]

I feel that my responsibility or my mission is to apply the classical voice authentically and effectively to soul and jazz informed musics.

[A]

In the dedication on your album, you write always for the little brown girls, the dreamers, and especially those that are both 100%. Why did you have them in mind as you were making this album?

[B]

Because that's me. You know, I think I'm actually a little touched that you brought that up. It is one thing to be a young girl. It is one thing to be a young black girl, and it is another thing to be a young chocolate black girl, to have great aspirations for yourself. We don't have as many images of that and examples of one. Not just being a Look, you know, like a package, but having a mind and being brave and pursuing an idea, you know, being a dreamer. And it's very important to me to communicate to younger girls than me that their minds are valuable and their whatever's on their mind matters, you know, and that they can pursue it.

[A]

Why should kids continue to dream?

[B]

Ooh. Especially in this time. Right. Because dreams are what moves us forward. You know, if you can't every great thing, even down to in this room right now, you know, somebody kind of ideated and if they didn't dare to try to build it or construct, never would be. And then we, you know, we wouldn't have the benefit of enjoying this wonderful microphone.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And when we take the chance to dream, I think that we take a step towards bettering ourselves as a community, you know, a global community, just at every level of humanity.

[A]

We're talking to Alicia Waller. Her new album is called Louder Than. We're Gonna Go out on One more song, My Day, Part 2. This is a great bass line in it, Mar. Now I understand a little bit more.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Anything you want to tell us before you sing?

[B]

This one was the gutsy one, so this one. It's very important to me that people not only enjoy the musical landscape of this song but also what I am saying. This is dedicated 100% to creative types and artists to believe in the visions that they have and to keep pursuing them.

[A]

This is Alicia Waller

[B]

1, 2, 3, 4.

[C]

Sa. No deny if for the first time you would have said couldn't you believe it all the while Then you hesitated cause you thought I was down so true the red is spoken in for your answers from a crowd but we want believe it warm and sweet Wisdom that you seek when you resonated is so perfect and profoundly. I love to love you baby I love to love you baby oh I love to love you bab. What are you believing all the time Good way you receive it no deny it for the first time you decide could you believe it all the way Bring a tolter in the sea when your fantasy shows up and opens wide. I might stand to be offerings and courage to inspire my heart. This wisdom insurrection is design you. Perish stone is I.

[A]

Everyone was on fire during that song. Alicia Waller the album is called Louder Than. Thank you so much for joining us.

[B]

Thank you so much, Allison the 2026 FIFA World cup meal at McDonald's is underway with one of nine legendary cups in the lineup.

[C]

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[B]

All rights reserved. 2026 McDonald's at FIFA World Cup 2026.