Jazz flutist, educator, band director, and vocalist Amber Underwood is a native of Kansas City and has been entertaining and performing music since the tender age of 8. She began her musical journey on the piano and soon after began playing classical flute. Amber has been a presence in the Kansas City jazz scene making a place and a voice for her instrument. In the beginning of 2014 the Amber Underwood Project was formed with original members Drew Davis, DeAndre Manning, and Tyree Johnson with the mission to showcase an instrument that is normally used as an auxiliary instrument in jazz but now as a solo instrument. AUP is a modern and fresh take on smooth jazz and R&B sounds. AUP uses the rich tones and colors of the flute to interpret the various styles and genres of jazz.