Ali is a Kansas City native musician, photographer, visual artist, social media manager and bartender who currently lives in Westport. Her dad has been playing the guitar at the kitchen table next to her mom, who draws intricate ball-point pen art and what some would consider folk art, for as long as she can remember.

She started playing the clarinet in 6th grade (because she wanted to be like Squidward) and the tenor saxophone in 7th grade. In her school years she received multiple journalism photography awards, as well as improvisation awards for jazz at the Gem Theatre, and she performed at Carnegie Hall twice with the symphonic band in high school as the first chair/solo clarinetist. She also “Above & Beyond” varsity lettered all four years for marching band in high school, and she was the Right Guide for the clarinet section her senior year.

For whatever reason, she drifted away from these instruments (while pursuing a career in graphic/web design that didn’t really scratch the itch) but chose to start teaching herself how to play the piano about 5 years ago. She also discovered her voice.

Ali has recently signed up to play clarinet and sing (and maybe play piano later) with JazzLab KC, an intermediate jam session group that will meet at the Mutual Musicians’ Foundation in the 18th & Vine district beginning in March. 

Most recently Ali has been a bartender for work. Within the last few months, thanks to her wonderful supportive boyfriend, she has been blessed with the opportunity to focus on her creative ventures while only bartending on Saturdays at Green Room Burgers & Beer in Westport.

Her favorite food is sushi, her favorite color is green, and she’s pretty sure aliens are real.