Vanisha Gould

Vanisha Gould is a jazz vocalist, composer, and bandleader based in New York City. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Vanisha has built an international reputation for her soulful voice, nuanced songwriting, and dynamic stage presence. She has performed around the globe, with appearances in Russia, Sweden, and at the renowned Copenhagen Jazz Festival. In New York, Vanisha has graced the stages of Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Minton’s Playhouse, The Django, the Jazz Gallery, and more. Her versatility has also led her to featured roles in acclaimed productions such as The Sound of Black Music and Bessie, Billie, Nina—paying tribute to the legendary women of jazz and blues.

As a recording artist, she has released three original albums: In Her Words (2021), Life’s a Gig (2024), and She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth (2024). Her compositional work is also featured on projects by Grant Richards and Alex Tremblay. Vanisha is committed to arts education and currently teaches songwriting and jazz vocals through the Tribeca Jazz Institute and the Yale Undergraduate Jazz Collective. She is a 2024 recipient of the New Jazz Works Artist Residency at The Jazz Gallery.”

Vanisha Gould was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to New York in 2015 and swiftly built a name for herself as a composer, bandleader and jazz vocalist. Inspired by greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, she aspires to continue the legacy of their greatness on stages all over America and overseas. Her most recent album, “She’s Not Shiny, She’s Not Smooth,” celebrates imperfection and uplifts authenticity. An album complete of only originals. None of them perfect. All of them authentic.