Marie-Claire Giraud is a soprano, jazz singer, songwriter, and actor. Born on the island of Dominica and raised in The Bronx, NY, she began her operatic training in Rome, Italy. During the pandemic, Marie-Claire embraced the opportunity to reflect and expand her creative spirit—writing her first musical and discovering her true voice as a soprano.
Her career has taken her to legendary venues such as Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, New York City Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, and Smalls Jazz Club in NYC. In July and August 2024, she performed in Honolulu for the Hawaii Classical Music International Competition Winner’s Concert and headlined a sold-out performance at Maui’s Jazz Sunset Series. She has also appeared at international festivals including the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and the Cartagena Jazz Festival.
Marie-Claire made her off-Broadway debut in 2022, starring in Tennessee Williams’ one-act play Hello from Bertha, and she will return to Broadway in February 2025. A fixture on the New York City jazz scene, she is also known for her one-woman show, The Great American Songbook at the Movies, performed at Parker’s at Thompson Central Park, often in collaboration with acclaimed pianist Lee Musiker. She now brings this concept to life at the Scarlet Jazz Lounge, performing with pianists Jon Davis and Matt Baker.
Currently, Marie-Claire is recording her upcoming jazz album, Caravan, with Plaid Dog Recording, set for release in Spring 2025. She has received the NYC Caribbean Heritage Award and recognition from the NAACP, as well as citations from the New York State Senate, New York City Hall, and the United Nations. In June 2024, she was named winner in the jazz category at the InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA) and won the Silver Prize at the Amadeus International Music Awards in August 2024. She will make her 54 Below debut in April 2025 with From Harlem to Hollywood: The Songs of Duke Ellington and Irving Berlin.
A lifelong student of her craft, Marie-Claire continues to refine her artistry while touching the hearts and souls of jazz lovers around the world.
