Brianna Thomas

Evocative, soulful, and dynamic, Brianna Thomas is a powerhouse vocalist whose artistry captivates audiences worldwide. Celebrated by Vanity Fair, The New York Times, NPR, and Rolling Stone magazine, she is known for her exceptional vocal prowess, scat virtuosity, and emotional delivery. DownBeat magazine praises her for “giving the impression of inventing the song in the moment, as if it’s never been done before.” Brianna has collaborated with icons such as Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Steve Miller, and Jonathan Batiste. Her sophomore album, Everybody Knows (2020), with her band The Brianna Thomas Band, was named to “Best Albums of the Year” by DownBeat magazine.

A native of Peoria, Illinois, Brianna honors jazz and its traditions while blending various Black American music styles into her own unique sound. She began performing at age six with her father’s band, and by age 12, she was touring Europe and became the youngest inductee into the African-American Hall of Fame Museum (Peoria, Illinois). Her studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and her victory at the prestigious Jazzmobile Vocal Competition affirmed her path to success. In 2023, Pittsburgh officially declared February 22 “Brianna Thomas Day.”

Revered by The Wall Street Journal as “perhaps the best young straight-ahead jazz singer of a new generation,” Brianna continues to blaze her path through music with a heartfelt voice that lifts the spirit and leaves an indelible impression.