Biography

Seattle native Sara Gazarek, born in 1982, is a renowned contemporary jazz vocalist. Growing up, Sara had very little exposure to jazz until high school when her band director introduced and mentored her in the genre. After being invited to perform at the Essentially Ellington Festival as a senior in high school, she decided to pursue a Jazz Studies degree at the University of Southern California, and ultimately, a career in Los Angeles. Her USC mentor, John Clayton, helped her produce her first album, “Yours”, and jump start her professional career. Since then, she has joined the USC Jazz Voice Faculty, and has released 9 total albums. Her most recent record, “Thirsty Ghost”, received a Grammy nomination in 2019. Some of the amazing jazz musicians Gazarek has collaborated with include Kurt Elling, Larry Goldings, Fred Hersch, and Billy Childs. Now, Sara continues to share her voice in the vocal supergroup, säje, alongside some of the most gifted female musicians of our time.