BIOGRAPHY
Up and coming jazz artist Sharmila Guha is a native of Los Angeles, having attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and continuing her studies as a classical singer at the University of California, Santa Barbara. When invited to appear as a featured soloist with the UCSB Jazz Ensemble, she discovered her passion for jazz. After college, she was accepted into the “Jazz in July” program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, working with the legendary jazz singer Sheila Jordan.
A well-rounded and highly-skilled musician, Sharmila began her professional career in 2003 as a featured artist in the Santa Barbara Festival of Art & Jazz. She maintained her classical ties as a cantor and soloist at the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara. She was also invited to participate in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Institute. Re-locating back to Los Angeles in 2004, she became a soloist and cantor at St. John Fisher Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, she started performing with some of LA's top jazz musicians, and she began to build her teaching studio. She immediately garnered much applause and respect from working musicians, students, and audiences alike. In 2005, she was sought out in the talent search for Filipino-American jazz musicians, performing at the Inaugural Filipino-American Jazz Festival in LA's premiere jazz venue, the Catalina Bar & Grill. In 2008, she released her highly-anticipated debut jazz album, "If Music Be the Food of Love," featuring guitarist Larry Koonse, and bassist Kevin Axt.
A versatile singer able to easily move through many musical styles, Sharmila also has extensive experience singing in many languages including: Latin, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Bengali, and Hindi. She currently works as a studio singer and private voice teacher. Sharmila continues to maintain her ties with classical singing as a member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
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