Featured Artist - Sharifa Headley

JAZZAMCO® is thrilled to present as its inaugural featured artist, the lovely and multi-talented Sharifa Headley, vocalist, pianist and composer currently based in Toronto. Sharifa and her quartet received a standing ovation at their recent Jazz Bistro debut.

Having graduated Magna Cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, it was there that she crafted her vocal style, which is rooted in jazz but has heavy influences from Brazilian, Latin and flamenco music. While in Boston, she had the opportunity to further enrich her knowledge of Brazilian music by playing surdo for four years as part of a 30+ member batucada, aNova Brasil, led by the world-renowned Brazilian percussionist, Marcus Santos. Some notable past performances with aNova Brasil include the Link-Up program at Carnegie Hall, the Beantown Jazz Festival, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Benefit at Waldorf Astoria Hotel, a collaboration with Stomp! at the Wang Theatre in Boston and a collaboration with Clarice Assad and Boston Landmark Orchestra. This year, Sharifa headlined her own show at the Jazz Bistro, one of Toronto’s premier jazz venues, to a sold out audience.

Later this year, Sharifa is hoping to release original music featuring her Brazilian quartet. You can follow her on Instagram @sharifaasha to stay up-to-date on her performance schedule and future releases.