Chiara Izzi

Italian-born, New York-based jazz singer and composer Chiara Izzi has developed a musical identity shaped by her Italian roots, deep connection to Brazilian music, and ability to sing and speak in Italian, Portuguese and English. Drawing from bossa nova, samba, jazz, Italian song, and American popular music, she brings a soulful approach to both interpretation and songwriting. Her original composition “Circles of the Mind” won Best Jazz Song with Vocals at the internationally recognized Independent Music Awards, and she was selected by Quincy Jones as a winner of the Montreux Jazz Festival Voice Competition. She has performed internationally and opened for legendary guitarist Paco de Lucía, while collaborating with leading Brazilian musicians including Nilson Matta, Duduka Da Fonseca, Helio Alves, and Diego Figueiredo, among many others. With three albums released under her name, including "Across the Sea, co-led with pianist Kevin Hays, her work has received praise from DownBeat and JazzTimes, with Hays describing her as having “an inner strength that I think is rare.” Through her music, Chiara brings together soulful storytelling, musical versatility, and a commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue.