Kari Kirkland

Canadian-born vocalist Kari Kirkland began collaborating with producer/arranger/pianist Shelly Berg in 2016. Shelly, a five-time Grammy nominee, possesses the rare ability to translate Kari's wide-ranging musical inspirations into unique jazz arrangements, defying genres, creating a distinctive sound with sophisticated harmonies and honest, intimate storytelling.

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Creating jazzy expressions with non-jazz material has become their collective superpower.

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Kari’s first album, 'Wild is the Wind', featured Shelly on keyboards, Dean Parks on guitars, Gregg Field on drums, Kevin Axt on bass, Roy Hargrove and John Daversa on trumpet and flugelhorn, with Brian Kilgore adding percussion. The album’s 4th single, Break Your Heart, reached #28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart.

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Kari’s second album, ‘If, When You Go’, recorded in the iconic Capitol Studio A in Los Angeles, saw the return of Parks and Kilgore. Peter Erskine replaced Field on drums, Carlitos del Puerto and Kevin Axt shared bass duties, and Terell Stafford was featured on trumpet.

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Kari's third album will be released in Spring, 2026, featuring contemporary pop songs transformed into modern jazz.

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“Her vocals are impressive throughout with a ‘less-is-more’ approach…her soft delivery makes the tale of lost love resonate even more deeply.”  

 

Downbeat Magazine — April 2023