Zara McFarlane is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading Black British vocalists, celebrated for her musicianship, expressive vocal authority and significant contribution to contemporary jazz and Black British music. As a singer, songwriter and composer, she has developed an international reputation for work that connects jazz with Caribbean rhythm traditions, soul, reggae, electronic and contemporary music.

McFarlane first came to prominence when DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson signed her to Brownswood Recordings, where she released a series of acclaimed albums including Until Tomorrow, If You Knew Her, Arise and Songs of an Unknown Tongue and (later with !K7) Sweet Whispers: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan. 

“The British jazz singer pays homage to Vaughan with earthiness and spontaneity: an animated reinvention of these classics.” -**** The Guardian
“An inspired and lovingly crafted homage.”- **** Jazzwise

“A sumptuous tribute to Sarah Vaughan.” **** The Arts Desk

Over the course of her career she has collaborated with a remarkable range of internationally respected musicians, composers and producers across jazz, house, reggae and contemporary music. Artists she has worked with or performed alongside include Hugh Masekela, Gregory Porter, Gary Bartz, Ernest Ranglin, Shabaka Hutchings, Moses Boyd, Soweto Kinch and Ezra Collective. Her projects also include collaborations with internationally renowned producers and DJs such as Louie Vega, Nicola Conte, Dennis Bovell, Floating Points, Swindle and Osunlade. She has also collaborated with artists such as Ivan Lins, Grégoire Maret and performed with Antibalas.

McFarlane’s work has also brought her into dialogue with orchestral and classical music settings. She has performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra and the Noordpool Orchestra. Her project celebrating Sarah Vaughan has also been presented with orchestral accompaniment in major concert venues and festivals in Europe.

A compelling live performer, she has appeared at prestigious venues including Royal Albert Hall, Barbican Centre, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and at international festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Love Supreme Jazz Festival and SXSW.

Her work also extends into theatre and opera. McFarlane performed as featured vocalist in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Antony and Cleopatra, with music composed by Laura Mvula, performing both at Stratford-upon-Avon and the Barbican in London. She later returned to collaborate with the company on the project Swingin’ the Dream. She has also appeared at the opera house Glyndebourne in the opera Agreed, composed by Howard Moody and performed with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

McFarlane’s achievements have been recognised with numerous awards including Best Jazz Act at the MOBO Awards, Vocalist of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards (twice), the Urban Music Award for Best Jazz, Worldwide Award for Session of the Year. and Vocalist of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards (2025). She also features on Louise Vega’s Grammy nominated album Starring… XXVIII and was named a Rising Star Female Vocalist of the Year in Downbeat Magazine 2025.

Alongside her performing and recording career, McFarlane contributes extensively to education and mentorship. She leads workshops and masterclasses internationally and also delivers one to one vocal coaching online and delivers singing for self-confidence workshops for Businesses through her company Singtivate.

Through her work as a vocalist, composer, collaborator and educator, Zara McFarlane continues to play a major role in shaping contemporary British jazz and Black British musical culture.

Other Career Highlights

Award winner include: Los Angeles Movie Award (Disintegrated) Best Experimental Short -( Composotion)

Performance of the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final 2024 (85,000 in attendance, broadcast live worldwide)

Multiple performances on ‘Later with Jools Holland’ BBC Show

Served as a judge for the BBC Young Jazz Musician competition x2

Alumni

BRIT School of Performing Arts, BIMM, GSMD, Tomorrow’s Warriors