A contemporary jazz vocalist and singer/songwriter, Sophia Shorai has been a mainstay on the Minneapolis music scene for the past 15 + years. Born in Bindura, Zimbabwe (hence, her middle name, Shorai), she began classical piano and voice training at age five. Early childhood mimicking of the voices and instrumentation of jazz legends in her father’s record collection gave rise to exploring the Golden Age of standards in her early teens.

Shorai turned down scholarships to Berklee College of Music and The New School to continue her immediate post-highschool plunge into the Twin Cities live music and recording scenes. She has five self-released albums along with several singles spanning a variety of musical genres. Her live shows are an intermix of the Great American Songbook, soul, funk, and R&B staples to modern revivals. She collaborates with the Midwest’s most celebrated musicians, has garnered international vocal recognition through TV and films, and you’ve likely heard her since the late 90’s through today lending her voice to advertising campaigns.

Well-known for her command of the jazz idiom, Shorai is currently exploring the lush landscape of contemporary soul and pop with her trio. Showcasing her originals, Shorai finds new emotional depth and sonic space, extrapolating from life experiences lived and imagined, redefining time and place. Expect new sounds surfacing in the coming year.

“Sophia has everything a singer could want: soul, versatility and comfort in a number of musical settings and styles, a marvelous set of ears, unique style, and a visceral love of music and performance. Whether she’s belting or crooning, she breaks hearts.” – Adam Levy, Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter/educator

Listen on Apple Music / Spotify / SoundCloud / BandCamp

Sophia is available for live shows, event performances, voice-overs and musical collaborations.