Ingrid James Welcome to the official website of Ingrid James.

A singer with a voice that's been described as chocolate: rich, dark and smooth.

Ingrid James is one of Queensland's leading Jazz Vocalists appearing regularly in Jazz festivals throughout the country including the Brisbane Festival (Spiegeltent), Jazz Queensland's Valley Jazz Festival, Devonport Jazz Festival Tasmania, Manly Jazz Festival Sydney, Noosa International Jazz Festival, Melbourne Women's International Jazz Festival, Gold Coast, Bellingen, Kiama and Ambiwerra Jazz Festivals to name but a few.

Her performances on ABC national television including soloist with the Queensland Orchestra together with appearances in European and US venues such as The Blue Note in Monte Carlo, the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles and the Pizza Express, Soho & 606 Clubs in London have confirmed a reputation described by the Sydney Morning Herald as "fearless and gifted-a Jazz singer for whom the songs are there to be teased, flirted with and milked for all their improvisational potential".

Ingrid's recorded albums have attracted worldwide acclaim including "a probable for the best ten list..comes as a most challenging and welcome vocal surprise" by Cadence Magazine in New York and ABC Limelight Magazine's review described her album Circumflex as "hitting the mark with a mixture of classics, jazz standards and contemporary tunes" and "recalls Betty Carter's sublime bent about notes, while Devil May Care is one of the finest I've heard.."

Other reviews acknowledge the heartfelt warmth and intimate style that characterize her performances. Tony Backhouse, New Zealand composer, vocal arranger, singer & author says "Ingrid James floats and swings effortlessly through the changes with a tone of honey. As well as great technique, there's an engaging warmth to her delivery like a close friend smiling at you". David Bentley, journalist says "You've probably heard these songs before - but never like this. Thoughtful, inventive and, above all, swinging, Ingrid squeezes every line for nuance and meaning. The impeccable phrasing and accurate intonation come almost as a bonus."

A graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), Sydney and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music (Vocal Pedagogy), she now teaches privately, runs workshops around the country and internationally.

She has been mentor and coach for Queensland Education Department's Creative Generation for 3 years performing at the Q150 Celebrations at Boondall Entertainment Centre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Brisbane Powerhouse. To complement her passion for teaching, Ingrid has produced a Jazz Singers' Jam Night (held at The Brisbane Jazz Club) since 2002 and is the Vocal Co-ordinator for the 612 ABC/Jazz Queensland Valley Jazz Festival Vocal Competition.

She has recorded 3 nationally released albums: "Essence"; "Portrait" (joint project with Louise Denson) & "Circumflex" (duo project with John Reeves) with 2 international joint project recordings to be released in the UK, Australia and the USA in 2010 - "Reunion" (UK/Australia) with Trudy Kerr and "Global Collective" (USA/Australia) with Paul Armstrong & Todd Harrison (USA). Her very first recording in the 90's was released through ABC Music - "Live at Middenbury" and her subsequent two independent albums "Just Visiting" and "Lazy Afternoon" (recorded at ABC FM's JazzTrack with Mal Stanley) both received Queensland Music Industry Sunnie Awards for Best Jazz Albums.

"Her upcoming projects include the late 2010 release of recording called "Global Collective" (USA) with co-founders Paul Armstrong, trumpet/arranger/vocals & Todd Harrison, drums/percussion/arranger/vocals."

"Ingrid was, as always, visually and performance wise - brilliant. Her expression, clarity and vocal control thirlled the audience..."

Cathy Segal-Garcia - The Singers' Roundtable, Jazz Bakery - LOS ANGELES

"A fearless and gifted jazz singer for whom the songs are there to be teased, flirted with and milked for all their improvisational potential." (Read more..)

John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

A singer who has "a special affinity for Brazilian music [who] brings out the full beauty of the lyrics." (Read more..)

Joao da Penha, music critic (Brazil)

"Ingrid James' passionate vocals cut like musical light-sabres with each note - yet injected warmth and depth of meaning and pathos that only deep compassion can bring" (Read more..)

Noosa Jazz Festival

"Within the friendly, honest person is so masterful a vocalist that no matter how lost she may seem in the feeling of a song, or how deftly she might navigate a blistering bop melody, I am certain that she never completely discards one in favour of the other (technique + emotion)

Reviewer for Valley Jazz Festival, 2007 - Greg Gottlieb