Elizabeth Bougerol
PROJECTS:
Elizabeth Bougerol is a jazz singer and songwriter known for her emotive vocal style and the personal sensibility she brings to the timeless tradition of early 20th-century jazz. With a voice that effortlessly communicates nuance, power, and humour, Elizabeth has made a name for herself as an artist with a passion for connecting deeply with the music and her audience. Drawing inspiration from icons as diverse as Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, and Bessie Smith, her performances are marked by a deep respect for the genre’s roots while infusing them with her own distinct voice and arrangements.
ELIZABETH BOUGEROL & HER BAND
Founder of The Hot Sardines, Elizabeth Bougerol has created a new show that is all about our Appetites, the things that bring us joy. Featuring Her Band of 2 trombones, piano, drums, bass, and 3-part back-up harmonies, Elizabeth performs new arrangements of songs from the 20s through the 60s, by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Nat King Cole, Rickie Lee Jones, and Stephen Sondheim, alongside her own original compositions. She brings us the stories behind the songs and the artists, told with her own inimitable style and sass.
Elizabeth’s passion for sharing the untold stories of songs and artists has positioned her as a key figure in the movement of women redefining the classic jazz singer. Her ability to blend vintage sounds with a modern sensibility has set her apart as one of the genre's most innovative voices. Her natural gift for audience connection is what WBGO’s Nate Chinen calls “the secret sauce.” Additionally, her creation of projects like Banned Jazz, which debuted at Carnegie Hall in April 2024, and Appetites, her new solo project, which launched in 2024 with sold-out performances at Joe’s Pub and Birdland, further showcases her versatility and commitment to pushing the boundaries of early jazz and blues.
In addition to her solo career, Elizabeth is the co-founder and creative force behind The Hot Sardines, the powerhouse early-jazz revival band that has earned critical acclaim worldwide. With her at the helm (and mic), the band has garnered praise from outlets like The New York Times, which called their performances "potent and assured," and The Times of London, which described them as "simply phenomenal." The band has released six albums, including their Universal Classics/Decca debut, and has accumulated tens of millions of streams, taking them on international tours and performing at festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Japan, as well as creating a symphony show (in collaboration with The Boston Pops), which has now traveled to 21 other orchestras.
Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and the granddaughter of Canadian trumpeter Bobby Gimby, OC, Elizabeth Bougerol is equally at home singing in English and her native French. Whether performing solo with her own band or with The Hot Sardines, she is creating a rich legacy as both a solo artist and a bandleader. She lives in New York City.
PRESS & QUOTES:
“Elizabeth is a welcome, dynamic force, honoring vintage music as well as her own wonderful original compositions. A show not to be missed.”
Catherine Russell, Grammy-winning vocalist
“Elizabeth is inspiring. Her voice is velvet – smooth and captivating. She’s an extremely charismatic, cool performer and one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
Bria Skonberg, Juno-winning trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader
“Elizabeth is one of my favorite interpreters of American songs of yore — her shows are an impeccable mix of well-known standards and under-heard gems. Her love of the material and its creators is intoxicating.”
Greg Mottola, film/TV director (Nobody Wants This, Superbad, Confess, Fletch)
