CHRYST

International vocalist and educator Keri CHRYST currently lives and works in Paris, France – by way of Chicago, IL where she earned her Master’s in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University in 1998. Her spunky “in the pocket” swing, together with an instrumental approach to singing and improvisation, have charmed audiences across the Western Hemisphere and fast earned her a reputation as a “musician’s singer.” Her début album The French Connection - Vol 1 (2014) highlights where her two passions of Jazz Music and French Culture intertwine.

Keri’s current projects include regular appearances with the vocal jazz trio par excellence Sweet System (Festival d'Avignon, Théâtre le Ranelagh, Jazz Club Lionel Hampton - Le Méridien...) the Dany Doriz Orchestra of Caveaux de la Huchette fame, as well as numerous trips as Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department across Africa, Europe and the USA.

Other accomplishments as an educator include pioneering the Jazz Vocal Program (2003) at the American School of Modern Music in Paris (former Berklee affiliate), and authoring a complete curriculum of auxiliary workshops and courses for her self-created Jazz Vocal Academy International (2006), which helps students to develop into fully rounded musicians, as well as healthy and happy singers.

Ms. Chryst also is a proud member of JEN (Jazz Education Network) and the official Teaching Artist Rosters for both the Nebraska Arts Council (since 2016) and Ohio Arts Council (since 2021).