Remarkably agile jazz vocalist and composer Sarah Elizabeth Charles is from Springfield, Massachusetts, where she started developing her talent as early as elementary school. After high school, she relocated to New York City, attended the New School, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her path crossed with those of Geri Allen, Cecil Bridgewater, George Cables, and Sheila Jordan, among others. In 2012, she debuted with Red, on which she was supported by drummer John Davis, pianist Jesse Elder, and bassist Burniss Earl Travis, collectively known as the S.E. Charles Quartet. Three years later, Charles and the same trio released a second album, Inner Dialogue, which she produced beside Christian Scott. ~ Andy Kellman