BVJF 2026 Premieres Sarah McKenzie Quartet (USA/AUS) - Saturday Evening

“World-class – delivers Goosebumps!” (Birdland, NY) “Incredible musicality in glamorous glory” (All About Jazz) “Warm, witty, deeply musical & effortlessly stylish” (Downbeat) One of Australia’s most accomplished jazz artists on the international stage, ARIA Award-winning pianist, vocalist and composer Sarah McKenzie makes her premiere appearance at the Brisbane Vocal Jazz Festival. Originally from Melbourne and now based in the United States, McKenzie has spent more than a decade captivating audiences across North America, Europe and Asia, performing at renowned festivals and concert halls including Montreux, Monterey and Montreal. Signed to the legendary Impulse! label and a graduate of Berklee College of Music, she has built a global reputation for elegant musicianship, sophisticated songwriting and an unmistakable sense of swing. International critics have praised her luminous vocals, brilliant piano playing and beautifully crafted original songs, drawing comparisons with Diana Krall and Blossom Dearie while recognising a style that is uniquely her own. Her ARIA Award-winning album Close Your Eyes launched an international career that has seen her collaborate with some of the world’s finest jazz musicians and release a string of acclaimed recordings. Blending the timeless sophistication of the Great American Songbook with her own award-winning compositions, Sarah McKenzie delivers performances that are warm, witty, deeply musical and effortlessly stylish. Whether you’re discovering her for the first time or welcoming home one of Australia’s great jazz exports, this is a rare opportunity to experience an artist whose career has flourished on the world’s most prestigious jazz stage.