A 21st Century Jazz Singer
“A whole lot of interpretive brilliance” is how JazzTimes describes Clairdee’s soulfully alluring style and rich timbre. She swings, has an intimate, vulnerable way with a ballad, and can shout at will, revealing roots in the gospel church. Her masterly interpretation of lyrics is a gift aptly described by the inimitable Nancy Wilson who said, “In the tradition of all great vocalists, Clairdee infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself.”
Clairdee sings in night clubs, concert halls, and festivals in Edinburgh, Tokyo, Bangkok, Toronto, Moscow and St Petersburg Russia, New York, San Francisco, Monterey, and points in between. She leads her world-class band and performs with pops orchestras, big bands, and some of America’s most notable jazz instrumentalists.
Clairdee’s discography as leader includes four highly regarded albums on her Declare Music label. “A Love Letter to Lena,” garnered international press and acknowledged in three categories in the 2020 Grammy® first round nominations.
2018 recipient of the Bay Area Jazz & Blues Artist Lifetime Achievement Award, she is a passionate advocate for music education: Professor of Jazz Voice, San Francisco Conservatory of Music; Teaching Artist, SFJAZZ and San Francisco Symphony; Artist Advisory member and mentor, Jazz in the Neighborhood.
My purpose is to engage, uplift and build community through music — creating narrative that inspires beyond the stage.
Quotes
“In the tradition of all great vocalists, Clairdee infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself.”
— Nancy Wilson
"Sumptuous, elegantly restrained."
— The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland)
"Generous spirit and unpretentious sincerity"
— Down Beat
"Clairdee projects an unmistakable aura onstage — regaling the audience with songs interwoven with warm, humorous anecdotes — creating a seamless, wonderful tapestry throughout the concert."
—All About Jazz
“In sassy, solidly assured, crowd-pleasing form, a whole lot of interpretive brilliance."
—JazzTimes
Inspirations
John Levy: Mentor, manager, friend, and gentleman of the highest order.
Legendary songstylist Nancy Wilson: Mentor and role model after our 1-on-1 interview at Monterey Jazz Festival
Congrats from Miss Nancy Wilson
Billy Higgins: Mentor and friend. HUGE heart, generous spirit.
Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli
Dee Dee Bridgewater, shares life lessons and other great stories.
Russell Malone & Houston Person
Singers Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., & Nicole Henry
Jamie Foxx, actor, singer, comedian
Kids: I LOVE working with kids!
Singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs
Esperanza Spalding, bassist, composer, educator
Regina Carter, violinist, MacArthur Fellow
Gerald Clayton, composer, pianist, bandleader
Patti Austin, singer
Regina Carter and legendary Roy McCurdy
Marian McPartland, pianist, composer, radio host
Norman Simmons, Paul West, Bernard Purdie. Learning from the masters.
Freda Payne, singer
Arsenio Hall, comedian, actor
Terence Blanchard, trumpeter, composer, educator
Dianne Reeves, singer and excellent cook. We're both from Denver!
Ken Peplowski, clarinetist, bandleader, funny man!
Johnny O'Neal, pianist
Ruth Davies: Talented bassist and best friend
Earl Klugh, guitarist, songwriter
Valerie Noble, celebrity hair and make-up artist
James Ingram, singer, composer, pianist
Amina Figarova, pianist, composer
Henry Johnson, guitarist-singer
Ivan Lins, singer, pianist, composer
Nnenna Freelon, vocalist, songwriter, playwright
Richard Bona, bassist, singer, composer.
Rebecca Parris, singer
Sheila Jordan, vocalist and fellow Scorpio!
Dr. Herb Wong: Mentor, friend; nonpareil jazz historian and producer.
Dena DeRose, pianist and vocalist.
Taylor Eigsti, pianist, composer
Paula West, singer
Trombone Shorty, multi-instrumentalist, energetic entertainer
Todd Gordon, UK-based crooner
Herlin Riley: Drumming never sounded SO good.
Charles Brown, singer-pianist, sharing stories in Mexico.
Bud Spangler: Producer, drummer, radio personality
Benny Green, pianist
Paulette McWilliams, singer-songwriter
Jay Leonhart, bassist and humorist
Denise Perrier, singer
Bill Strickland, ceramicist, community leader, author, and CEO of the non-profit Manchester Bidwell Corporation.
Dr. Kim Nalley, singer
Carmen Bradford, vocalist
Dana Goia, poet and writer, former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Gil Gross, journalist & radio personality
Allen Farnham, pianist (left), and reed man Charles McNeal
Broadway star Barbara Cook and pianist Ted Rosenthal
Dan Ouellette, noted music journalist and biographer
Dmitri Matheny, flugelhornist, composer
A Scott Galloway, noted music journalist
Bill Charlap, pianist
Monty Alexander (left), Ken French (right)
L Peter Callender, actor, director
Armistead Maupin, writer
Rehearsal with Dick Hyman
Houston Person, soulful sax man
Maestro Yaacov Bergman
Jamie Davis, vocalist
Tammi Brown, vocalist
Billy Valentine, vocalist