Louise Balkwill

Award-winning jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill brings passion, personality and flare to Europe’s most highly regarded stages with her fresh take on vocal jazz and blues.
London-based jazz vocalist Louise Balkwill has been making waves on the European jazz scene, captivating listeners with her charismatic, blues-infused, honest and virtuosic-yet-unpretentious take on vocal jazz.

Her performance at Riga Jazz Stage 2022 guided Splendid Palace’s thousand audients on a journey through raucous laughter and heartfelt tears, winning her first prize in the jazz vocal category. She has since become a household name on the European jazz scene, with performances on some of the continent’s most iconic stages, including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (London) and Nardis Jazz Club (Istanbul). Louise also regulary appears as the soprano and tenor deputy of The Puppini Sisters, who are regarded as the world’s leading close-harmony group counting King Charles, The Manhattan Transfer, Hugh Laurie, Gary Barlow and Michael Bublé amongst their fans.

Balkwill’s admirers include the likes of Leroy Jones (trumpeter to Harry Connick Jr., with whom she released the single “Sweeter Than A Summer Breeze” in May 2023 featuring her own lyrics on Jones’ melody), alongside jazz cream cream of the crop Deedee Bridgewater, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin and the late Dr. John.

PRESS QUOTES

"A true new talent, shining right here..."
- Ian Shaw

"Her voice and everything else that comes with the package of a master vocalist is pure soul, swing and fire!"
- Leroy Jones

"If the 606 seems miraculously and unusually flooded with light in these pictures, then that must be something to do the combination of Trevor Clifford's artistry as a photographer... and Louise Balkwill's character."
- Sebastian Scotney, London Jazz News, 2018

"Totally bowled over by Louise Balkwill's incredible vocals and engaging stage presence"
- Sarah Chaplin, Jazzwise Magazine, 2015

"Louise's happiness on stage is contagious!"
- Brigitte Beraha

Named by multi-award-winning singer Liane Carroll as a singer to listen out for.