The Guildhall Jazz Festival in association with the EFG London Jazz Festival features current and past students, Guildhall Jazz teachers and special guests in a celebration of the wealth of creativity and originality within the Guildhall Jazz community.

Zara McFarlane has created a unique show, journeying through the very special life and music of Sarah Vaughan, known to all as one of the jazz singing greats but she was more than that, being universally regarded by her contemporaries as a musician of the highest degree in what was probably the most exciting times in the annals of jazz.

Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Zara McFarlane is known for her unique sound melding influences from Jazz, Reggae, Folk and Nu-Soul.

The twice Jazz FM vocalist of the year winner has led her band in festivals from British Summer Time (Hyde Park), Field Day and BoomTown Festivals to prestigious international Jazz festivals and venues such as Ronnie Scotts, The Jazz Cafe, The Royal Albert Hall, Love Supreme (UK), Rochester Jazz (US), Cully Jazz (CH), St Lucia Jazz Festivals and SXSW (US).

With a voice that has been described as ‘a caressing voice of sparkling clarity,’ Zara is an in-demand vocalist internationally and has performed with acclaimed musicians including Hugh Masekela, Gregory Porter, Gary Bartz, Ernest Ranglin, Shabaka Hutchings, Moses Boyd and Ezra Collective and collaborated with esteemed producers Lil’ Louie Vega, Swindle, Floating Points, Osunlade and Dennis Bovell. Zara has also worked in the theatre with Royal Shakespeare Company and Glyndebourne Opera and worked as a music educator at conservatories including Guildhall School of Music and Drama and BIMM.