Jacqueline Tabor

A commanding voice. A story in every song. Jacqueline Tabor, The Seattle Chanteuse, brings jazz, blues, and swing to life with performances that invite audiences to learn, laugh, and feel the music. Her warmth creates a sense of connection—audiences arrive as strangers and leave as friends.

A 2026 Earshot Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, four-time Earshot Jazz Vocalist of the Year, and Seattle–Kobe Sister City Association Award recipient, Jacqueline is a vocalist and bandleader rooted in Seattle’s music community. She moves from intimate ballads to spirited, danceable grooves, bringing emotional depth and a storyteller’s attention to every lyric.

Her work spans small ensembles, big bands, and symphonic performances. A member of the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, she has appeared at Jazz Alley, Benaroya Hall, The Triple Door, and Seattle Jazz Fellowship. Her musical travels have taken her to Japan and to London’s Ronnie Scott’s Vocal Jam, while her monthly First Thursday residency at Seattle’s historic Central Saloon keeps her connected to audiences close to home.

Her recordings include The Jazz in You, The Lady in the Gown, and All Shades of Blues. With pianist Marina Albero, Jacqueline co-leads Don’t Explain, a collaborative project that weaves music and spoken word through themes of resilience, social justice, and the legacies of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. Across her recordings and live performances, Jacqueline brings a deep respect for musical history and a belief in music’s ability to build community.