Heather Rice brings the soul of a storyteller to the elegance of jazz. With a voice that is both warm and inviting, she draws audiences in with her conversational approach, inviting them to become part of the story. Her interpretations are marked by clarity, emotional depth, and a deep reverence for the jazz tradition — while offering something unmistakably her own.
Influenced by artists like Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, and Rachael Price, her vocal style blends soulful clarity with subtle phrasing and emotional immediacy. Whether scatting freely or delivering a lyric with quiet intensity, she creates an intimate connection with her audience, inviting them to experience the music with her in the moment.
She has performed at the Charleston Jazz Festival, Green Room 42 (NYC), Studio 54 (NYC), and with the Charleston and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras. Her career has brought her from Off-Broadway stages to collaborations with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra and appearances at the NSB Jazz Festival. She has opened for renowned artists including Sheryl Crow, Lady A, and Joan Osborne.
She is currently preparing to release two full-length albums: Fingers, a rhythm-forward jazz record produced and arranged by Grammy-nominated Michael T. Franklin — with a title track tribute to Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira — and Ruminations, an original album written in conversation with visual artist Damian Stamer’s hauntingly beautiful series about modern-day ghosts and the rural American South.
Known for her captivating live performances, she has become a sought-after presence in both corporate and creative musical spaces, often backed by some of the finest jazz musicians in the country.
She currently splits her time between Charleston and New York City, where she is continuing to expand her artistic footprint and deepen her connection with the jazz community.
