ABOUT
"In sassy, solidly assured, crowd-pleasing form, a whole lot of interpretive brilliance." —JazzTimes
When a celebration is called for, Clairdee often gets the call. The vivacious San Francisco-based jazz vocalist inaugurated the beautiful new North Beach nightspot Keys Jazz Bistro in November 2022, turning an anticipated event into a glorious consecration.
In a career spanning some four decades, she's performed similar benedictions around the world as an internationally touring artist who's collaborated with some of America's most celebrated jazz masters, including Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Houston Person, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Malone, and Ken Peplowski.
Deeply informed by the music's departed masters, Clairdee puts a personal stamp on whatever she sings, a gift aptly described by the inimitable Nancy Wilson, who declared that "in the tradition of all great vocalists she infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself." Equally at home singing various idioms in an array of settings, Clairdee has worked with symphony orchestras, big bands, small jazz combos, and intimate duos, in addition to leading her own world-class band.
Clairdee’s discography as leader includes four highly regarded albums on her Declare Music label. “A Love Letter to Lena,” garnered international press and was acknowledged in three categories in the 2020 Grammy® first round nominations.
A 2018 recipient of the Bay Area Jazz & Blues Artist Lifetime Achievement Award, Clairdee is a passionate advocate for music education: Professor of Jazz Voice, San Francisco Conservatory of Music; Teaching Artist, SFJAZZ and San Francisco Symphony; Board member, Bay Area Jazz Mobile and Independent Musicians Alliance; Artist Advisory Member and mentor, Jazz in the Neighborhood.
My purpose is to engage, uplift and build community through music — creating narrative that inspires beyond the stage.

Quotes
“In the tradition of all great vocalists, Clairdee infuses each song with her own unique style while always remaining true to the song itself.”
— Nancy Wilson
"Sumptuous, elegantly restrained."
— The Scotsman (Edinburgh, Scotland)
"Generous spirit and unpretentious sincerity"
— Down Beat
"Clairdee projects an unmistakable aura onstage — regaling the audience with songs interwoven with warm, humorous anecdotes — creating a seamless, wonderful tapestry."
—All About Jazz
“In sassy, solidly assured, crowd-pleasing form, a whole lot of interpretive brilliance."
—JazzTimes
News
Click HERE for News