Sarah McKenzie

Sarah McKenzie, an Australian pianist, composer, vocalist, and bandleader, brings a light yet assured technical touch, sharp songwriting instincts, and a strongly lyrical approach to swing that often recalls Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.

Born and raised in Perth, she began piano lessons at age nine and later attended the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the same school that nurtured Hugh Jackman, Marcus Graham, and Lisa McCune. After finishing high school she earned a Bachelor of Jazz degree in composition, received the Jack Bendat Scholarship along with the Hawaiian Award for Most Outstanding Jazz Graduate, and secured a position as a backing vocalist on Michael Bublé’s Call Me Irresponsible tour.

She later moved to Melbourne, where she trained with James Morrison for six years and earned a scholarship through his Generations in Jazz program. Signing with ABC Records, she made her label debut in 2011 with the album Don’t Tempt Me, a collection of classic pop, blues, and jazz standards alongside original material; the recording’s strong reception led to an opening slot on Chris Botti’s tour that same year.

In 2012 McKenzie issued her second album, Close Your Eyes, which drew widespread praise and expanded her audience beyond Australia. The record captured the ARIA Award for Best Jazz Album and opened touring opportunities with Enrico Rava and John Patitucci. That year she also won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, studied there with Joanne Brackeen, and completed an Artist’s Diploma in Jazz Performance. While at the school she performed her own compositions at Boston Symphony Hall, the Winter and Summer editions of Umbria Jazz, Jazz Ahead in Bremen, Germany, and the Riccione and Lucca Donna Jazz Festivals in Italy.

After finishing her studies she remained in the United States. Her third album, We Could Be Lovers, produced by Brian Bacchus, appeared first in Australia in late 2014. Its enthusiastic reviews and her rising visibility on North American stages prompted Impulse! Records to acquire it for wider release on September 25, 2015.