One of the world’s most talked about jazz singers, stunning 33 year-old Jazzmeia Horn from Texas USA, will headline the 2024 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival (SIWJF) on Friday, November 1 at St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney.

“…scatting with the agility of an Olympic gymnast and delivering ballads with simmering intensity and exquisite precision.” – San Francisco Chronicle

Drawing on her love of iconic singers of the 1950s and 60’s, Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan, Horn has created a sound that is all her own, stunning vocals, inspired scat-singing and a vivacity that is infectious. Accompanied by a stellar lineup of Victor Gould on keys, Jonathan Zwartz on bass, and Hamish Stewart on drums, this will be a night of jazz, soul, and neo-soul you won’t want to miss.

Jazzmeia Horn’s stunning vocal range and saxophone-like agility have redefined what it means to be a jazz vocalist in the modern age. With an extraordinary ability to traverse the full spectrum of musical and lyrical expression, she has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

From her early days in Dallas, Texas, to winning prestigious competitions like the Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition and the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Jazzmeia Horn has established herself as a force in the jazz world. With performances alongside legends like Vincent Herring, Ellis Marsalis, and Billy Harper, she continues to break barriers and push the boundaries of the genre.

Her latest album, Dear Love, showcases not just her vocal prowess but also her bold ideas and unflinching perspective on the world, earning her a place in jazz history as the first black woman in a century to front a big band album from start to finish. With two Grammy-nominated albums under her belt, Horn’s unique blend of inspiration from icons like Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan with her own dynamic, vivacious style has made her an artist to watch.

The full program for the 2024 SIWJF, at venues around Sydney, 24th October until November 3rd, will be announced September 19.