Sarah McKenzie is a 36-year old, Australian-born jazz pianist, composer, vocalist, and bandleader whose breezy technical style, songwriting acumen, and pronounced lyrical sense of swing have drawn comparisons to influences Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horn, Diana Krall, Nat King Cole, and Harry Connick, Jr. and the way “they all tell stories through their singing” which evokes emotions and is meant to touch people. She began playing piano at the age of 5 and by the age of 15 she heard Oscar Peterson’s “Night Train”, a turning point for her, because after hearing that “happy music” she “knew what she wanted to do … with my life.” She also loved American pianists Gene Harris and Ahmad Jamal and was mentored by Australian super-star musician and teacher James Morrison.