Skip to main content

Listen

HOLIDAYS

“Sergeant styles her vocals with her unmistakable sophistication, layering in emotion that savors less of Christmas twee and more of seductive spice…”

–BroadwayWorld

LISTEN ON

FALLING

“…sophisticated songs worthy of a stage musical and all built around the idea of letting go and taking chances.”

-All About Jazz

“Kristen Lee Sergeant brings a strong sense of story to her vocal jazz performances…The music provides the visceral context for Sergeant’s smart lyrics…and gorgeous legit vocals.”

-DownBeat Magazine

LISTEN ON

SMOLDER

“Sergeant’s training as an actress and classical vocalist enable her to craft moments of engaging drama, whether she’s seductively sliding into a note with a near-whisper, delivering a breathy revelation or belting out a lyric with full-throated muscularity… This elegant album illustrates what can happen when admirable ambition is paired with vocal vibrancy.”

– Bobby Reed, DownBeat Magazine

LISTEN ON

INSIDE OUT

“Sergeant recalls the talent for devil-may-care, in-your-face originality associated with Anita O’Day, Abbey Lincoln or Carmen McRae.”

– ejazznow.com

LISTEN ON

newsletter

hear new and unreleased music first

Follow Kristen

@klsergeant / @klsergeant / youtube.com/kristenleesergeant

klsergeant

Artist & Hedonist
Singer, composer, lyricist & writer. Sommelier.
Jazz & Juice ⬇️

I love it when my loves: music, wine, art and ambi

I love it when my loves: music, wine, art and ambience, all combine to make singular experiences that celebrate and surpass the sensory.

Which is to say, confluences like this one (rosé tasting dinner/concert at @markettablenyc) will keep happening, so stay tuned. 🍷🎶

This week’s Jazz & Juice will drop sometime tomorrow, hope you subscribe in time to get this week’s pairing. 🍷🎶

#winetasting #livemusicnyc #jazzsinger #nycdatenight #sommelier

3,000 pages, a little over 20 years. Many, many, p

3,000 pages, a little over 20 years. Many, many, pauses, starts, and restarts.

I finished Proust’s masterpiece this past Saturday. Up until then, I usually used my eternal read time on this six/seven book series as a source for self deprecating humor — but as I held my breath while reading the last page, I realized that I had a unique gift in experiencing this piece of art that is so much about time over so much of it, and how my adulthood has been infused with making memories of reading this book in a way that has made my life that much richer.

I remember the first psychedelic moment of memory this book created for me like it was yesterday — I was on the banks of Lake Geneva on an ill-planned (and fated) attempt at being a spontaneous backpacker sort, having just graduated college. I’d thought to imitate the more vagabond folks at the youth hostel in France by heading over to another country without any of my guidebooks or plans— not the first time I have made a wayward decision by deciding to become a different sort of person — and while my memories of Geneva are mostly that of an unprepared and then later ill traveler, there was one afternoon when the water glittered from the banks of the lake, and I read of madelines and mothers in rapture, and was at once in Proust’s world, my own childhood park and somewhere else altogether.

This psychedelic simultaneity of Proust’s world and my own, the hieghtened moment as well as the divergent but vivid memory, is what for me characterizes the reading of this book that afternoon, in moments moving forward, and I find absolutely his intention.

To read the last book where the author does lay bare the intentions of what has come before moved me a great deal, and perhaps it’s no accident I read it as I prepare to bring forth my project of greatest artistic labor that also is a sort of time travel. (But a lot shorter.)

So yes I do encourage you to begin these books, if you hadn’t. And take your time 💗📚

Thank you for sharing this moment with me. Oh and yes I made those madelines 🤓

#proust #reading #library #literature

It was 2020 and I thought we thought it would be c

It was 2020 and I thought we thought it would be cool to film remote Judy Garland style mini-shows from my best friend’s third floor in Atlanta, where we were living for a while.

The idea was to make something that wasn’t just an artifact of a pandemic but could speak to other times and other springs. Hope it does still 5 years later. 🌸

The song is “Some Other Spring”by Irene Kitchings and Aurthur Herzog, and you’re hearing @jebpatton @hannahmarksbass and @jsawyerdrums and seeing and hearing @tedrnash in @dlynneplummer’ guest room.

#jazzmusic #jazzsinger #jazzsinger #blackandwhite #spring #springsong #judygarland

I’ll be singing a program of new songs for an si

I’ll be singing a program of new songs for an singular rosé tasting dinner at @markettablenyc — where you’ll be serenaded by me, sommed by the charismatic Lisa Komara and sated by the cuisine of Joey Campanaro and Mike Price.

This will be the only chance to hear some of my new material before I take it into the studio in an intimate and immensely pleasurable West Village windowed retreat — the menu is enticing and the wines will change your perspective on what rosé can be.

I’ll be joined by the incredible talents of @adambirnbaumpiano on keys and @luquesc on bass. I can’t think of a better way to start the season!

Seating is limited - I can’t wait to see you there. (link is in the bio.)

#rosé #winetasting #winedinner #singersongwriter #nycjazz #springinnyc

A little wine and song interlude for your week.

A little wine and song interlude for your week.

As I think about potentially industry destroying tariffs and the defunding of cultural institutions, I know that sharing wine’s beauty and music’s meaning matters. And plus it’s a lot of fun.

Thank you to the greatness of @olgaraffault and Andrew Cyrille, Wadada Leo Smith and @bill.frisell for the beautiful inspiration.

Hope you enjoy discovering something new, or that I did justice to something you already love! As always the newsletter at bio says it better than I do off the cuff here.

#winelover #sommelier #jazzmusic #singersongwriter #jazzsinger #winetasting

Moby Dick at the Met, @dlynneplummer in NYC, some

Moby Dick at the Met, @dlynneplummer in NYC, some crocuses pushing through. What’s born out of the cold clarity of winter is at once both tender and bold.

I love how this week’s wine from @vinazorzal.win

I love how this week’s wine from @vinazorzal.wines got me thinking about how both wine and song communicate to us. Loved this “Quatro del Quatro” 2021 so much it made me go to the great @carmenmcraeofficial — I don’t believe in favorites but she’s always my go to when pressed. 💕

You can read a more articulate version of this at the link in bio, and a link to the wine (song is playing!)

#winelover #winegeek #winepairing #jazzsingersofinstagram #jazzmusic #jazzmusic #sommelier

Thursday sunset, Friday rehearsal with @jebpatton

Thursday sunset, Friday rehearsal with @jebpatton — tending to the sprouts of new material, making sure the way is clear for new growth, all the late winter metaphors. Nothing is ready yet — the way to live is to enjoy that part, too. Working on it 😉

Harvard Square for a few days, as told through win

Harvard Square for a few days, as told through windows.

To have a few days here, as opposed to my usual two hour bookstore-cafe-back on the subway swoop, was a true pleasure. It’s a place where I get to overhear think-tank level political discourse and poetry recictitations an any café, and become intoxicated with the promise of knowledge and experience from bookstore browsing (with no deleterious health effects.)

Oh, the painting is “Alice Villette” (1872) by Edgar Degas at the @hu_foggmuseumofart . What a gift — a free museum that had far more windows into perspective, history and beauty than just this painting, but I had a theme going.:)

On a sunset train back to NYC (last window). More soon. 🌇

Happy Birthday to Victorine Meurent (1844—1927)

Happy Birthday to Victorine Meurent (1844—1927) model, muse, artist, musician, all around bad lady.

Her image, as rendered by Manet, has always captivated me — I’ve written her a song and made her a pivotal part of “Beyond the Frame” (my one-woman musical show about Manet’s muses and models) but my fascination with her has extended far beyond even that.

Her self portrait (in the post, from c. 1876) — shows a woman famed for her direct gaze choosing to portray herself looking askance. I love how strange and honest it is hanging next to other beautiful, more famed images of her of Manet’s at the @mfaboston.

Her singular life, over centuries ago, has inspired singular women to investigate her like moths to a flame. I’m grateful to Victorine for inspiring the bold and personal work of Eunice Lipton, and a new favorite writer of mine, @brennansummer — she’s working on a book about Meurent and has an inspiring substack which I encourage you to check out.)

My birthday wish to Victorine is a celebration of all the women artists who have been in front of a canvas or lens as well as behind, bringing their vision to either side.

#arthistory #femaleartist #manet #beyondtheframe #newtheatre #chokernecklace

Artwork:

Manet’s “Olympia” (1863) when it was at @metmuseum for the “Manet/Degas” exhibit.

Edouard Manet,
Olympia,
1863,
huile sur toile,
H. 130,5 ; L. 191 cm; pds. 120 kg. avec cadre H. 177,5 ; L. 239 cm,
Offert à l’Etat par souscription publique sur l’initiative de Claude Monet, 1890,
©
Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais
Patrice Schmidt

Self Portrait
Victorine Meurent (French, 1844 – 1927)
French about 1876

MEDIUM/TECHNIQUE
Oil on canvas
DIMENSIONS
35 × 27 cm (13 3/4 × 10 5/8 in.)
CREDIT LINE
Arthur Gordon Tompkins Fund
ACCESSION NUMBER
2021.554

This week’s wine and song pairing is of a favori

This week’s wine and song pairing is of a favorite producer (@immichbatterieberg) and player (@jschonig). We’re going up — steep slopes, ascendant themes.

The full version of this with links to the song can be found at the bio. Cheers 🏔️

#winelover #winetasting #winewednesday #jazzmusic #jazzdrums #bigbandjazz #sommelier #womeninmusic #singersongwriter

A four day working retreat North of the city — y

A four day working retreat North of the city — you see me here having finally sorted how to manage the fire for this hot tub, which was no small feat.

I suppose managing fire ignition and maintenance was a correlary to the no less demanding fires of creativity - they both require tending, inspire exacerbation in the impatient (moi), and ultimately are worth it.

Pictured here: poetry that couldn’t have been more suited to the moment, my favorite wine of the trip (thanks to Unfiltered Wines of Woodstock) and a few caffeinated moments when the workspace was more photogenic than the worker.

We’re this much closer to being ready to record these new tunes. I did do a Jazz & Juice this week — if you aren’t subscribed to the newsletter I’ll have a video repost for you on Monday. Stay warm till then 🔥🪵

The moments before bringing new songs to a new ban

The moments before bringing new songs to a new band is both exciting and slightly nerve wracking — I’m always hopeful that symbols on a page will match the sounds I have in my head, but sometimes what I thought would be a moment of thrilling tension ends up sounding like Sesame Street (actually happened yesterday, I learned something.)😝

The nerves, however, don’t account for the utter glee when something sounds better than I ever imagined (actually happened yesterday, many times over, thanks to an insane assemblage of talent in the room.)

I find cryptic “cool things are coming” posts to be among the most annoying, so I’ll just say my excitement to share this music with you is what will be propelling all the work to come as I make this recording.

Looking forward to sharing more of the process, and the people, with you. ✨

#singersongwriter #jazzsinger #nycmusicians #musicianlife #rehearsal

This latest pairing put some warmth in my winter.

This latest pairing put some warmth in my winter. Hope you enjoy my bi-weekly match of wine and song — you can read my far better expressed newsletter at the link in bio, and subscribe not to miss the next one!

Cheers 🌞

#winepairing #winelover #italianwine #lionelhampton #jazzmusic #musiclovers #sommelier #jazzmusician #erbaluce

Today, January 23rd, a hundred and half-ish years

Today, January 23rd, a hundred and half-ish years apart, two of the most important people in my life were born: one whom I met through his art which has inspired me in making mine, the other I talk to on the daily and helps me in every conceivable way.

I have Édouard Manet to thank for his art, life, and the muses and models that make up the material for my one woman musical show, currently moving forward in early phase production. I don’t think he checks his insta, but I wanted to say it anyway.😉

@dlynneplummer on the other hand, is here now, thank God, and brings light to my every day with her humor and illuminating insight. She’s truly brilliant in every way.💡

As you can see, art and life tend to keep collide at bars — be it at the Folies Bergère or in the West Village. 🍸

Happy Birthday you mad Aquarians — I love you. ♥️🐈‍⬛

Just askin…😉 Song by Frank Loesser, arrangem

Just askin…😉

Song by Frank Loesser, arrangement by @tedrnash

#newyearseve #happy2025 #bigbandjazz #whatareyoudoingnewyearseve

There’s a special place in my cold heart for “

There’s a special place in my cold heart for “Blue Xmas,” Bob Dorough’s askance take on holiday culture. I added some lyrics in his spirit, and then there’s @tedrnash’s arrangement that gets down and dirty (those trombones!) @anthony.hervey solo on the second set at Dizzy’s was 🔥, and the crowd inspiring.

Hope you enjoy an edited version, and the whole tune streaming (link at the bio.) Thanks to @jalcnyc and the incredible Dizzy’s Live footage, and to @sunnysiderec for being our label.

#holidays #holidayvibes #bigbandjazz #jazzsingers #grinch #bluechristmas #funnychristmas

In the twenty or so wine and song pairings I’ve

In the twenty or so wine and song pairings I’ve done for the subscribers of Jazz & Juice, I usually feature wine and song I had no hand in — it was time for the holidays to pair the wine and music I made with my partner-in-all-things @tedrnash, perhaps to spark your gift giving imagination ✨

The ‘22 @twonoteswine can be found in NYC in stores we love: @dandelionwineshop @oakandsteelnyc for starters, in Boston at @vinodivino_boston and in California at @good_land_wine_shop @renegadewines.

The music is of course all over the place, the link in bio can help you find some “Holidays” for your ears! 🎶 CDs for those inclined are also on my site.

Subscriptions to Jazz & Juice are free. That link is also up there. ✨

Cheers and happy sipping — and singing. ❄️🍷

#holidaystyle #holidaygiftideas #wineforchristmas #winelover #musicandwine #jazzandjuice #cabernet

A clip of Dave Frishberg’s “Snowbound,” our

A clip of Dave Frishberg’s “Snowbound,” our opener from the “Holidays” album, as performed at Dizzy’s Club last week. ‘Pass the wine, light the fire’ and find the full track at the link in bio (or on the streaming service of your choice.) 😉🍷🔥

Thank you @jazzdotorg and @sunnysiderec 🎶

#holidays #holidayvibes #bigbandjazz #jazzsingers #cozyvibes #snowbound #wintervibes #christmasmusic #christmasjazz #sequins

Load More Follow on Instagram