Sarah Mckenzie -(Mp3 320 kbps)-

At 25 years of age, pianist, vocalist and composer Sarah McKenzie is one of Australia's up-and-coming jazz musicians. Since graduating from WAAPA completing a Bachelor of Jazz (Composition), Sarah has won the Jack Bendat Scholarship, the Hawaiian Award for “Most Outstanding Jazz Graduate” and the Perth Jazz Societies Award for the “Most Outstanding Group of the Year for 2008”.


A recipient of the National Songwriters Competition (ACMF 2002) Sarah also won the prestigious James Morrison Scholarship (Vocal) this year, with a prize valued at $5000. Sarah had been a finalist in the scholarship for the last 6 years and was the only finalist to be nominated in both vocal and instrumental sections.


Sarah has performed at some of Australia’s highest profile jazz festivals and events including the Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Stonnington Jazz festival, Riverboats food and wine festival and the Melbourne Women in Jazz Festival. Such opportunities have put Sarah alongside greats such as James Morrison, Graeme Lyall, Joe Chindamo, Mat Jodrell and Jamie Oehlers. Sarah made her television debut performing with David Campbell at the L’Oreal Paris AFI awards and sang backing vocals for Michael Buble on the multi-platinum artist’s “Call Me Irresponsible” tour.


In 2010 Sarah was signed onto the ABC Music Label. Her first Album ‘Don’t Tempt Me’ will be released in May 2011.

Her second album, Close Your Eyes, won “Best Jazz Album” at the 2012 ARIA Awards (Australian Grammys). She has performed throughout Australia and Europe, has toured with Michael Bublé, Chris Botti, John Patitucci, and Enrico Rava. Now based in Boston, Sarah had the honor of being invited to perform her own material with The Boston Pops at Symphony Hall. After her highly praised performances at Melbourne International Jazz Festival, the Umbria Jazz Festival, The Boston Arts Festival, Stonnington Jazz Festival, she has been invited to play the Monterey and Wangaratta Jazz Festivals in 2014. Sarah just graduated from Berklee College of Music on a full tuition scholarship. Her forthcoming album, We Could Be Lovers, was produced by Brian Bacchus (Gregory Porter).