Clairdee
Lecturer / Artist
In a career spanning some four decades, vocalist Clairdee has performed around the world as an internationally touring artist who’s collaborated with some of America’s most celebrated jazz masters, including Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Malone, and Ken Peplowski.
Deeply informed by the music’s departed masters, Clairdee puts a personal stamp on whatever she sings, a gift aptly described by the inimitable Nancy Wilson, who declared that “in the tradition of all great vocalists she infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself.” Equally at home singing various idioms in an array of settings, she works with symphony orchestras, big bands, small jazz combos, intimate duos, and leads her own world-class band.
Clairdee’s discography as leader includes four highly regarded albums on her Declare Music label. “A Love Letter to Lena,” garnered international press and was acknowledged in three categories in the 2020 Grammy® first round nominations.
A 2018 recipient of the Bay Area Jazz & Blues Artist Lifetime Achievement Award, Clairdee is a passionate mentor and advocate for music education having served as a Professor of Jazz Voice at San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Teaching Artist for SFJAZZ and San Francisco Symphony. She is currently a Board member of Bay Area Jazz Mobile and Jazz in the Neighborhood, as well as a member of the Independent Musicians Alliance.