A very particular timbre for an artist that jazz has come to reveal. Each sound seems to find its source in a vibrant, feline sensitivity which has earned him comparisons to great names in vocal jazz such as Billie Holiday.

​With her scratchy timbre, her disturbing voice and her feline sensitivity, she continues her journey dedicated to Women, in the service of this little-known musical heritage. A feminine repertoire, which tells us about the human condition, about love, about desire, remains timeless and continues to speak to us. On stage, she manages to make them her own, far from any affectation, between intimate fragility and strength of character. With her sensitivity, Sarah Lenka has always approached singing as a way of releasing the emotions that flow through her. This is what makes her touching, this is what makes her sister to these great voices of jazz, who were afraid of nothing and burned life at both ends.

​Accepted at the fine arts at 19, she nevertheless flew to London where she joined the “London Music School”, the first milestone in a journey of her own where her voice would be her only guide. While she was part of various trip hop and folk groups, she was noticed by London jazzmen. Piqued in her curiosity as a musician, Sarah finally decides to listen and “Good Morning Heartach” crosses her path. Revelation! After 5 years of making her mark on the London streets, Sarah returned to Paris and launched herself where her voice would be best expressed... in jazz!

​Six months later, she will grace the theater stage at the Enghein festival as the opening act for the group Taj Mahal and will receive the Sacem prize as “best female vocal artist of the year” on this occasion. Raw, unfashioned talent delivered with generosity attracts professionals in the field. She signed with e-motive records and “Am I Blue”, her first album, was released. Drawn from the repertoire of Billie Holiday, she revisits in an original way these desperate love stories, those that clear the throat and the heart.

Three years of touring, a second album “Hush” in 2012, then a third, dedicated to the repertoire of Bessie Smith. An album which will receive a very warm welcome, a very nice tour.

​Through her album ‘Women’s Legacy’ (her 4th album with Musique Sauvage/Caramba), she highlights women who testify through transmission, their songs, their history. Women who have opened a path, freed a word. A little-known musical heritage in a sober register that borrows from folk, pop, and blues.

Singing is transmitted, it leaves a trace, allows us to claim, to soothe, to connect... A repertoire, which takes on its full meaning on stage, between intimate or collective singing, festive or introspective, between strength, emotion, joy and rhythm! A return to the sources, to a form of essentials. With a folk acoustic sound with the sounds of traditions and customs.

With 'Mahala' (her latest EP, signed by Musique Sauvage/Caramba), Sarah continues her journey dedicated to Women. For this occasion, 3 women who each carry within themselves a cultural heritage, a story: Naïssam Jalal (flutist: Franco-Syrian, Macha Gharibian: Franco Armenian pianist & Awa ly: Franco-Senegalese singer) They join this repertoire and make it sublime, bringing a more organic and ancestral dimension.

An atypical journey, a particular timbre, an intimate and authentic universe. A return to the sources, to a form of the essential, is the common thread of his career, of his message.

She has collaborated with many artists, such as Ben l’Oncle Soul, Awa Ly, Naïssam Jalal, Macha Gharibian, Gunnar Ellwanger, Natalia M. King, Marion Rampal. Performed many opening acts: Jeanne Added, Charlie Winston, Didier Lockwood, Taj Mahal, Hugh Coltman...

Today, she is selected to be part of the Génération Spedidam 2023/25 system, and a new album "I Don't Dress Fine" has appeared in the Jazz & People label.

https://www.sarahlenka.com/