Chiara Pancaldi is an accomplished Italian jazz singer and songwriter, hailing from Bologna, a quaint town in Northern Italy. She began her classical piano studies at the age of 10 and has been singing since early childhood. Her passion for jazz emerged as she sang along with records and engaged in jam sessions with fellow musicians.

In 2008, Chiara earned a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Bologna, focusing her thesis on Indian Classical Music. She furthered her musical education by graduating from the Conservatory of Bologna in 2012 with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Music.

Chiara's extensive performance history includes appearances at clubs and festivals across Italy, France, Germany, Austria, England, Bulgaria, and Japan. Notable venues and events include the Bansko Jazz Festival, Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo, Audi Forum Jazz, Cala Gone Jazz Festival, Garda Jazz Festival, Padova Jazz Festival, Museo Internazionale della Musica, Umbria Jazz, London Jazz Festival, CrossRoads Jazz Festival, Sunset Sunside Jazz Club, Jazzkeller Jazz Club, Porgy and Bess, Unterfahrt Jazz Club, Teatro Giordano, Teatro Morlacchi, Ancona Jazz Festival, Bologna Jazz Festival, Muze Cultural Center, Torrione Jazz Club, Alexander Plaz Jazz Club, Cantina Bentivoglio Jazz Club, Paradiso Jazz Festival, Blue Note Milano, among many others.

Throughout her career, Chiara has collaborated and toured with renowned European and American jazz musicians, including Cyrus Chestnut, John Webber, Joe Farnsworth, Darryl Hall, Kirk Lightsey, Don Menza, Vincent Bourgeyx, Olivier Hutman, Jeremy Pelt, Laurent Maur, Fabrizio Bosso, Roberto Tarenzi, Piero Odorici, Nico Gori, Bernd Reiter, Helmut Kagerer, and Marc Abrams, to name a few.

Her second album, I WALK A LITTLE FASTER, featuring Cyrus Chestnut on piano, John Webber on bass, and Joe Farnsworth on drums, was recognized as the Best Vocal Jazz Album of 2015 by Jazz Critique Magazine. Her latest album, WHAT IS THERE TO SAY (Challenge Records International), showcases the legendary Kirk Lightsey on piano and Darryl Hall on bass, along with special guest contributions from Jeremy Pelt on the title track and Laurent Maur on "A Timeless Place (The Peacocks)."

With her new project, SONGS DON’T GROW OLD ALONE, Chiara explores a fresh sound influenced by contemporary jazz and Brazilian music. This repertoire includes original compositions as well as rearrangements of Brazilian, pop, and folk songs, characterized by a strong emphasis on interplay and improvisation.

QUOTES

“She is a jazz singer in the sense that she takes liberties with lyrics while retaining understanding of what it actually says.” – Jazz Journal

“Her interpretative instinct is sharp and her modulation exemplary.” – Jazztimes magazine

“Chiara’s is one of the most beautiful voices in jazz out there today—not just in Italy, but anywhere. She has an impeccable technique as well as an irresistible swing. Equally at ease on ballads, bossa, swing, or bebop tunes, she brings her own style and interpretation to everything she sings. And can she scat! She will no doubt make a name for herself in jazz. Chiara Pancaldi—remember the name!” – Michele Hendricks

“From our earliest encounter, two things struck me as outstanding about Chiara Pancaldi. One of them was her clarity of expression. Speaking from more than a casual observer, one of the hardest things to attain in this music is conviction. That comes with experience and depth. Ms. Pancaldi is possessed of both, and that alone would make this set a pure joy to listen to! (…) Overall, I believe that this CD offers us all a unique opportunity to catch what I feel is the birth of a major talent, and it is my sincere hope that you find as much joy in listening to the music as the musicians undoubtedly had recording it. In the days of insincerity and over-produced and gimmicky, flash-in-the-pan artists, Chiara Pancaldi—I’m glad there is you!” – Jeremy Pelt

“She exhibits a beautiful timbre of voice, a powerful swing, and a strong personality.” – Jazzit Magazine