Gretchen Parlato – voice, rhythm, and expansion in contemporary jazz

Gretchen Parlato is a vocalist and composer whose practice redefines the role of the voice within contemporary jazz.

Her approach integrates elements of jazz, Brazilian music, soul, and pop, developing a language based on rhythmic precision and interaction with the ensemble.

Throughout her career, she has worked with musicians such as Wayne Shorter and Robert Glasper, solidifying an active presence in various contexts of creative music. Her style is characterized by flexible phrasing, where the voice functions as an instrument, integrating into open structures that prioritize collective listening.

In projects like The Lost And Found, this approach translates into a practice where composition, improvisation, and vocal texture converge in the same sonic space.