Chiara Izzi

Based in New York City since 2014, Chiara Izzi is an award-winning jazz singer and composer from Italy who has captivated audiences worldwide. Her breakthrough came when she won first prize at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition, a victory personally awarded by the legendary Quincy Jones, who chaired the jury. The following year, Chiara returned to the festival to perform and open for the iconic Paco de Lucía. She has since earned numerous accolades, including an Independent Music Award for Best Jazz Song with Vocals for her composition "Circles of the Mind," as well as national honors such as Lucca Jazz Donna, third place in the Chicco Bettinardi soloist category, and recognition in the Barga Jazz group category.

Since moving to the United States, Chiara has become one of the most sought-after vocalists, gracing world-renowned stages like The Kennedy Center, Montreux Jazz Festival, Aspen Jazz Festival, and Sarasota Jazz Festival. She has also performed at iconic NYC clubs like Birdland, The Blue Note, Smalls, and 55 Bar, sharing the stage and recording with jazz luminaries such as Kevin Hays, Chris Potter, Omer Avital, Grégoire Maret, Leon Parker, Diego Figueiredo, Jeff Hamilton, Aaron Goldberg, Nilson Matta, Eliot Zigmund, and many more.

Chiara first showcased her exceptional vocal talent with her debut album Motifs (Dot-Time, 2013), earning critical acclaim for its eclectic mix of genres. Singing in English, Italian, and Portuguese, the album highlights her multilingual skills and vocal prowess, as well as her ability to convey both emotional depth and vibrant swing. In an All About Jazz review, Michael Bailey called her “a force of nature,” while JazzTimes' Travis Rogers praised her as “a talent to be heard, admired, and anticipated.” Her evolving artistry is showcased in later works, including Live in Bremen (Dot-Time Records, 2022), which DownBeat described as “Immediate and unfiltered, Izzi’s performances lie all the more exposed for the open setting,” and Across the Sea (Jando, 2019), a co-led project with pianist Kevin Hays  who says about Chiara “There was a sense of sincerity and honesty — a lack of artifice. She has an inner strength that I think is rare”.

Chiara’s voice and talent have flourished in the vibrant cultural tapestry of New York City, helping her evolve into a profound storyteller, musician, and human being. For Chiara, music is not just an art form but a bridge between worlds. With her soulful storytelling, musical versatility, and commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue, Chiara has cemented herself as one of the most impactful voices in contemporary jazz.

Awards

• ASCAP Plus Award Recipient (2024)
• Winner, Independent Music Awards (USA), Best Jazz Song with Vocals – “Circles of the Mind” (2020)
• 1st Prize, Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal Competition (Switzerland, 2011) (awarded first prize by Quincy Jones, President of the jury of that year)
• 1st Prize, Lucca Jazz Donna Contest (Italy, 2010)
• 1st Prize, Barga Jazz Contest (Italy, 2009)
• Additional finalist and prize recognitions in international jazz competitions (2008–2019).

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