Bio
Carling Stephen is a jazz/blues singer from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Growing up, Carling attributes her love of jazz to finding her grandparents' jazz and big band CD collection. At the age of 12, she discovered the great jazz/blues singers like Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mose Allison and Nina Simone.
With the encouragement from her piano teacher and high school music teachers and family, Carling sang and played jazz standards in assemblies, coffee houses, and participated in her high school musicals where she had lead roles and solos. While in high school at age 14, Carling turned professional and soon after, produced and recorded two albums of jazz standards and r&b covers in her living room. Throughout high school, Carling accompanied herself on piano, performing originals and jazz standards at local venues and clubs.
Over the past five years, Carling has moved from club dates to performing in concert halls in the area. Recognized by her local musical community, and more recently the Toronto-based jazz/blues community. Carling, through her writing and singing, possesses a new and unique voice in the Canadian jazz music scene. She is currently producing her debut studio album, scheduled for release in the New Year.
"I aspire to bring the great tradition and the joy of jazz to people; in my own songwriting, to reflect love and heartache and in my own way, songwriting that reflects the times we live in."