Sari Kessler brings a soulful timbre, a radiant smile, a personal approach to phrasing, and an intuitive sense of time to every song, every venue. A natural storyteller, her performance is uniquely informed by her work as a clinical psychologist, lending depth and honesty to her interpretation of lyrics. Inspired by a diverse range of artists including Carmen McRae, Dianne Reeves, Dexter Gordon, Aretha Franklin and Bill Withers, Sari combines her reverence for the jazz tradition with a love of R&B.

Born in Belgium and raised in New York, Sari started singing at age 13 as the lead vocalist in a pop cover band. She has been entertaining audiences ever since at clubs, private parties, restaurants, and wineries. Through her intensive study of music at The New School, at The Lucy Moses School with guitarist Roni Ben-Hur, and with acclaimed vocalist Kate McGarry, Sari has developed a rich and resonant voice that lends itself to jazz, bossa nova and R&B, winning new fans with each performance. She has also studied with renowned vocalists Kurt Elling, Madeline Eastman, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Karrin Allyson, and Rebecca Parris.

Sari has shared the stage with the legendary talents of Phoebe Snow, Wings' drummer Steve Holley, and eminent jazzmen Tootie Heath, Gene Bertoncini and Greg Bandy. She has performed in the San Francisco Bay Area and at leading Manhattan venues such as Birdland, 55 Bar, North Square Lounge, The Water Club, Cleopatra's Needle, Jules Bistro, Bar Luna and The Avalon Hotel; in The Hamptons she's been featured at Wolffer Estate Vineyard, The Patio, World Pie, LI Winterfest/Jazz On The Vine, B. Smith's and Atlantica.

An in-demand performer for private events, Sari has been sought by leading entertainment companies, including Scott Evans Music and Red Letter Events. With her own band, she performs for corporate clients such as UBS and TIAA-CREF. In addition to choral and musical theater performance, Sari's wide-ranging resume includes studio work, providing lead and background vocals for Miramax, public radio and other corporate marketing ventures.

From jazz clubs to corporate functions to private parties, Sari approaches each musical task as a mission of self discovery, with a bold drive to explore her soul while touching the heart of the listener. And regardless of venue, her joyful passion will take her audience to new destinations.