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Sofija Knezevic

“Recognized as one of jazz's pre-eminent vocalists, young Sofija Knezevic is making her name as one of the most significant singers in jazz today. While her singing is steeped in tradition, her improvisational virtuosity and creativity are breathtaking.”

About Me

“Recognized as one of jazz's pre-eminent vocalists, young Sofija Knezevic is making her name as one of the most significant singers in jazz today. While her singing is steeped in tradition, her improvisational virtuosity and creativity are breathtaking.” - New York Times ​ Sofija graduated from University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, in the class of Dena De Rose where she studied on a full tuition scholarship at the age of 16. ​ She has won many awards and scholarships including the Marianne Mendt Jazz Award , Tesla Award for the achievements in Music, Thailand International Jazz Voice Competition 2016 , Unesco Scholarship for young talents, Golden Mermaid award , Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program which identifies outstanding, emerging jazz artists and composers, American Tracks Music Award, Global Music Award , Independent Music Award nominee, Eurovision Song Contest and many more. ​ She's been living in New York since 2011, and teaching voice at the Music School of New York City since 2012. ​ Sofija is also an ambassador of ICAF (international child art foundation) , CYE (Celiac Youth of Europe), one of the ambassadors for the Estee Lauder Breast Awareness Campaign, and an Amazon Aid Foundation Artist. Sofija is listed as first of Elle Magazine`s 30 under 30 (30 most successful people under 30 years of age), and number 3 on Cosmopolitan Magazine's list of the most beautiful women. ​ Sofija is included in the Jazz Encyclopedia `Serbian jazz, Bre`, and has just published a book of her own “Evolution of Voice - The Art of Breathing” in 2019. ​ Sofija organized and performed at many humanitarian events, including the support for the Sandy Hook victims in 2013. Sofija has written and recorded music for numerous movies, including the documentary about her life, the movie ` Love Comes After `, ‘Our guardians/ a little homage’ , and ` Balkan Spirit ` by Hermann Vaske where she appeared together with Marina Abramovic and Angelina Jolie. ​ Sofija worked with many great jazz artists such as David Murray, Jason Moran, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Sherman Irby, Tim Hagans, Eli Degibri, James Moody, Elliot Mason, Christian McBride among others.

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because... I was first exposed to jazz... when I was 3 years old. I met [musician name]... The best show I ever attended was... The first jazz record I bought was... Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong! My advice to new listeners... Or whatever else you have in mind.

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