Kari Kirkland

“Her vocals are impressive throughout with a ‘less-is-more’ approach…her soft delivery makes the tale of lost love resonate even more deeply.” — DownBeat Magazine Canadian-born vocalist Kari Kirkland has been collaborating with producer/arranger/pianist Shelly Berg since 2016. Shelly, a 5-time Grammy nominee, possesses the rare ability to translate Kari's wide-ranging musical inspirations into unique jazz arrangements; defying genres, creating a distinctive sound with honest, intimate storytelling. Creating jazzy expression with non-jazz material has become their collective superpower. With Don Murray engineering and Paul Blakemore mastering, the results are extraordinary. Kari’s first album, 'Wild Is The Wind', featured Shelly Berg, Dean Parks, Gregg Field, Kevin Axt, Roy Hargrove, John Daversa, and Brian Kilgore. The album’s 4th single, ‘Break Your Heart’ (orig. by Taio Cruz and Fraser T Smith), reached #28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. Kari’s second album, ‘if (when you go)’ recorded in the iconic Capitol Studio A in LA, saw the return of Parks, Kilgore, and Axt. Peter Erskine joined on drums, Carlitos del Puerto featured on bass, and Terell Stafford guest soloed on trumpet. Kari's third studio album was recorded at Village Studios in Santa Monica, CA and was released June 5, 2026, featuring 8 contemporary pop songs transformed into modern jazz. Kari’s music is available on 180-gram vinyl, CD’s, and downloads at karikirkland.com