Event Description

Laurin Talese is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz. A 2018 winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra at prestigious venues worldwide. Critics, including the Chicago Tribune, have praised her for delivering “some of the most luxuriant, sumptuously phrased jazz vocals you could hope to hear.”

Talese’s work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, lineage, and the lived human experience. Her three movement composition, Museum of Living Stories, draws on narratives that are told, witnessed, or owned, creating space in jazz for lives that are complex, messy, and fully human.

Her debut album, Gorgeous Chaos (2016), was recognized as a Top 10 Jazz Album by the Chicago Tribune and charted on Billboard. Beyond recording, her theatrical talents came to the fore when she portrayed Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, earning widespread critical acclaim.

Talese’s influence extends globally through her work as a U.S. State Department Arts Envoy, engaging with audiences across multiple countries. These experiences inform her approach to music, emphasizing connection, cultural exchange, and empathy through sound. She also serves as Board Chair of Jazz Philadelphia and as a Board Governor of the Recording Academy's Philadelphia Chapter.

Talese’s repertoire spans original compositions, jazz standards, and music drawn from multiple languages and traditions. Her performances are notable not only for technical mastery and elegance but also for her constant inquiry into the stories jazz can hold. Talese’s work is driven by a profound understanding of jazz as both a living tradition and a vehicle for human expression.

Laurin Talese balances a respect for jazz history with a fearless embrace of new ideas. Her artistry embodies a rare combination of skill, intelligence, and empathy, ensuring that each note she sings leaves a lasting imprint.