Carla Helmbrecht

Carla Helmbrecht is a Grammy-nominated vocalist and songwriter with a deep passion for jazz. Born in Wisconsin, she began her musical journey at the age of eight with piano lessons and soon started singing professionally by age 13. Her musical influences include jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Shirley Horn. Carla continued her jazz studies in West Texas, performing with the Texas Tech University Jazz Ensemble. She later moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a prominent figure in the jazz scene.

Carla's discography includes notable albums such as *One for My Baby* (1994), *Be Cool Be Kind* (2001), and *Quiet Intentions* (2012). *Be Cool Be Kind* received three Grammy nominations and featured renowned musicians like Ernie Watts and Peter Horvath. Carla has performed at numerous festivals and venues, including the San Jose Jazz Festival and Yoshi's in Oakland. Her style is characterized by a cool, laid-back approach, with a focus on poetic and sophisticated lyrics.