Sarah has been singing on the London jazz scene since 2006. Championed by leading vocalists Claire Martin and Ian Shaw, Sarah has just released her first album: “Darning the Dream” on Say So Records. The album is a mix of standard songs and original tunes, showcasing the kind of material that makes Sarah unique – her versatility defies easy categorisation. The recording features Sarah’s quartet (Darren Altman, Rick Simpson, Tom Farmer/Andy Hamill) plus special appearances from Jim Hart, Dave O’Higgins and Ian Shaw. Sarah launched the album in March 2010 to a packed house at London's famous 606 club.

The album was selected as UK Jazz Radio’s ‘CD of the month’for both March and April 2010.

In April 2010 Sarah won the International Jazz Singing Competition ‘Jazz Voices’ held in Lithuania. See www.jazzvoices.ltfor more info.

Sarah broke on to the London jazz scene whilst spending three years as the principal vocalist of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), most notably performing at Ronnie Scott's (Jan 07 & Jan 08), Pizza Express Dean Street, and The Stables at Wavendon. In 2008 she had an 8-month residency at London’s Pizza on the Park, and returned there for two sell-out gigs in early 2010.

Sarah began singing at a young age, but the basis of her musical skill came from learning the flute and piano through her teenage years.  She achieved highly on these while still at school, but it was joining a jazz orchestra on flute (by accident really - trying to kill time while waiting for a driving lesson!) that really turned her head to the style of music that would become her passion.  Sarah decided that singing would be the way forward, rather than flute, although she was pleased to occupy the flute chair in NYJO sporadically during 2007/8.

Sarah has featured as the vocalist for 2 military big bands: RAF Shades of Blue Orchestra, and the Queen's Division Big Band (Minden Band), with whom she recorded an album in 2007 (to listen, visit MUSIC page; to buy, visit DISCOGRAPHY page).

Sarah is a writer for the popular website LondonJazz – London’s leading blog on the ins and outs of the city’s scene.  It was nominated this year in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards for best jazz publication.  See www.londonjazz.blogspot.com.

She also writes her own witty and interesting blog - an insight into the world of a jazz singer: www.sarahellenhughes.blogspot.com

Sarah has considerable studio and session experience, having recorded numerous soundtracks with the Daniel Pemberton Television Orchestra, as well as recent projects with Trystan Jode and Ruben Vine.  On the MUSIC page, you will find clips of Sarah's studio work.

Sarah first moved to London as a primary school teacher, and still spends time teaching music in South East London. She graduated from St Martin's College in Lancaster in 2005, and while studying there discovered the North West jazz scene. She still visits the North West, performing at venues in Manchester, Wrea Green, Morecambe and Blackpool.

As well as performing with her jazz quartet, Sarah runs a party band called SEH Soul, information about which can be found by clicking the relevant tab above.  You can also visit SEH Soul on MySpace.