Sarah McKenzie (USA/UK/Aus)

Sarah McKenzie is an Australian jazz pianist, composer, vocalist, and bandleader whose breezy technical style, songwriting acumen, and pronounced lyrical sense of swing have drawn comparisons to Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall.

McKenzie was born in Melbourne, Australia and began playing piano at the age of nine. Throughout her high-school years Sarah was a member of the school band and learned trumpet as well as piano. From there she went on to attended university at Perth’s ‘West Australian Academy of Performing Arts’ (WAAPA) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Jazz degree, won the Jack Bendat Scholarship, the Hawaiian Award for “Most Outstanding Jazz Graduate:’ She also won a spot as a backing vocalist on Michael Buble’s ‘Call Me Irresponsible’ tour.

After relocating back to Melbourne, she studied with Australian Jazz superstar James Morrison for six years and won a scholarship through her involvement with his ‘Generations in Jazz’ development program. She signed with ABC Records and cut her first recording for the label in 2011. Entitled ‘Don’t Tempt Me’, it was comprised of classic pop, blues, and jazz tunes as well as originals. The attention it garnered won her an opening slot for Chris Botti’s tour that year.