SIMONE WADDELL
Internationally Acclaimed Jazz Vocalist, Recording Artist, Songwriter & Educator
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
No. 2 ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart - Unforgettable (2026)
No. 4 ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart - Unforgettable (2026)
No. 1 highest-selling Australian jazz album of 2022 - The Art of Collaboration
*The Art of Collaboration entered into four categories for the 2023 Grammy Awards
First Australian vocalist awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, Boston
* First jazz vocalist to complete a Master of Music in Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating with High Distinction
* International performances across Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Europe, the United States and Africa
78 recordings and associated releases available on QQ Music in China
Collaborations with Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Marcus Printup, Nadje Noordhuis and many of Australia’s leading musicians
* Creator of the signature concert productions Great Ladies of Jazz, Unforgettable and The Simone Waddell Band
* Recording artist with Ambition Entertainment, one of Australia’s leading independent record labels, and the premier adult contemporary label in Australia
PROFILE
Simone Waddell is an internationally acclaimed Australian contemporary jazz vocalist, recording artist, songwriter, performer and educator whose career spans over three decades throughout major theatres, festivals, concert halls, jazz clubs, international tours, recording projects, and cultural exchange programs.
Her distinctive artistry brings together contemporary jazz, soul, gospel, groove, R&B, and timeless storytelling. Renowned for her rich vocal tone, expressive phrasing, emotional depth and commanding stage presence, Simone creates performances that are both musically sophisticated and deeply connected to the audience.
Whether interpreting the Great American Songbook, reimagining iconic contemporary songs or presenting her own original music, Simone brings warmth, authority, and honesty to every performance. Her voice is immediately recognisable, capable of intimate vulnerability, powerful dynamic range and exceptional musical nuance.
“Simone’s voice is fresh and impassioned and simply a joy to listen to.”
- Erik Zobler, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer
UNFORGETTABLE
Simone’s sixth studio album, Unforgettable, was released in May 2026 and debuted at No. 2 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and No. 4 on the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart.
The album presents contemporary jazz interpretations of ten timeless songs, including, Just the Way You Are, The Windmills of Your Mind, Still Crazy After All These Years, Bridge Over Troubled Water, What the World Needs Now Is Love, and Unforgettable.
Nine tracks feature the extraordinary trio of Paul Grabowsky on piano, David Jones on drums and Philip Rex on double bass.
The album also features internationally and nationally acclaimed artists including Marcus Printup, Nadje Noordhuis, Warwick Alder, James Muller, Jack Pantazis, Paul Mason, Damien Cooper, Michael Tan, Tony Azzopardi, Mary Kiani, Gregg Arthur and Doug Williams.
Produced by Simone Waddell, with the trio sessions produced by Jim Kelly, Unforgettable, received outstanding critical acclaim, including five-star reviews. The album confirms Simone’s standing as a distinctive and emotionally compelling contemporary jazz interpreter.
The live production Unforgettable brings the album to the stage through elegant arrangements, personal storytelling and world-class musicianship.
THE ART OF COLLABORATION
Simone’s fifth studio album, The Art of Collaboration, became the No. 1 highest-selling Australian jazz album of 2022, and was entered into four categories for the 2023 Grammy Awards.
The landmark project brought together approximately 60 of Australia’s finest musicians and was recorded across sixteen professional studios in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The album features Simone’s original compositions alongside contemporary jazz interpretations of iconic Australian songs, including:
Beds Are Burning
Burn for You
Fall at Your Feet
The Horses
Mystify
Collaborators include Tommy Emmanuel, James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, Rai Thistlethwayte, Pat Powell, and many other leading Australian artists.
The project also involved Grammy Award-winning engineers, Erik Zobler, George Massenburg and Paul Blakemore
“As soon as I heard this piece, the greatest compliment I can give a song is that I immediately wanted to play on it. It creates a mood instantly.”
- James Morrison, Australian jazz icon
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Simone has performed extensively throughout Australia and internationally across China, Japan, New Zealand, Europe, the United States, and Africa.
Her career encompasses theatres, concert halls, festivals, jazz clubs, cruise productions, performances for National Leaders, workshops, masterclasses, and major cultural programs.
Her international touring history includes China tours in 2016 and 2019, with performances at venues including Shenzhen Poly Theatre, Haiya Grand Theatre and Xinghai Concert Hall. Her Shenzhen Poly Theatre concert attracted an audience of approximately 1,500 people, and her China projects have included more than ten workshops and masterclasses alongside major public performances.
Her music also has a substantial presence in China, with 78 recordings and associated releases available on QQ Music, one of the country’s largest music streaming platforms.
In Japan, Simone has performed and collaborated with musicians across cities including Nagano, Matsuyama, and Fukuoka.
In New Zealand, she has presented vocal and professional development programs, performed at the Auckland Jazz & Blues Club and participated in the Jazz Forum at the University of Auckland. Her work there included presenting her postgraduate research in 2017, and collaborating with acclaimed jazz pianist and educator Dr Kevin Field in 2026.
Australian performance highlights include:
Brisbane City Hall
Parliament House
Bravo Cruise of Performing Arts
Manly Jazz Festival
Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival
Devonport Jazz Festival Concert Series
Bastille Festival Sydney
Paris Cat Jazz Club
Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club
The Basement Sydney
Foundry616
Australian Music Week
Major theatres and performing arts centres throughout Australia
In June 2026, Simone presented Great Ladies of Jazz at Brisbane City Hall for an audience of approximately 1,600 people, and was a featured artist on the Bravo Cruise of Performing Arts to Noumea and New Caledonia in 2025, performing her show, "Great Ladies of Jazz."
She has performed regularly at Parliament House for state and national government leaders, toured and toured with international pop artist Taylor Dayne playnig keys and singing backing vocals, and was selected to open for Australian jazz legend Vince Jones during Australian Music Week.
SIGNATURE LIVE PRODUCTIONS
Great Ladies of Jazz
A sophisticated and compelling celebration of the legendary women who shaped jazz history.
Combining musical excellence, historical storytelling and Simone’s distinctive interpretive voice, Great Ladies of Jazz has been presented in theatres, festivals, and cultural venues.
The production honours the artistry and legacy of jazz’s great female voices while bringing a contemporary perspective to the repertoire.
Unforgettable
Inspired by Simone’s acclaimed 2026 album, Unforgettable, presents timeless songs by Michel Legrand, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Hamlisch, Alan and Marilyn Bergman and other master songwriters.
The production combines elegant arrangements, emotional storytelling and world-class musicianship.
The Simone Waddell Band
A vibrant concert experience blending jazz, soul, groove, gospel, and contemporary classics. Sam McNally - keys, Ralph Marshall - bass, and Mitch Farmer - drums, are three of the most well respected musicians in all of Australia, and are Simone's core players.
Featuring vocals, piano, bass and drums, the production can be tailored for theatres, festivals, corporate events, cultural celebrations, and concert programs.
RECORDING CAREER
Simone’s recorded work spans six studio albums, EPs, original singles, collaborative recordings, featured appearances and projects involving leading Australian and international musicians.
Her studio albums include:
* Take My Love
* Make It Happen
* My Romance
* Surrender
* The Art of Collaboration
* Unforgettable
Her additional releases include the EPs, New Day and Keeping My Peace On, original singles, and featured recordings across other artists’ projects.
Her 2024 recording of Calling You, created with Damien Cooper and James Napier, further demonstrates her vocal intimacy and interpretive depth.
Simone is a recording artist with Ambition Entertainment, one of Australia’s leading independent record labels.
BORN TO WIN
Simone’s original song Born to Win received high rotation on Australian radio and was selected as the theme song for Miss World Australia.
It was also adopted by Heal For Life, a nationally recognised organisation supporting adults and young people recovering from childhood trauma.
The song has become closely associated with resilience, empowerment, courage and hope.
EDUCATION, RESEARCH & MUSICAL AUTHORITY
Simone was the first Australian vocalist awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.
She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Music before becoming the first jazz vocalist to complete a Master of Music in Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating with High Distinction.
Her postgraduate research explored artistry, communication and physical gesture in jazz vocal performance through the work of Australian jazz legend Kerrie Biddell.
Simone was personally mentored by Kerrie Biddell, whose musicianship, artistry and interpretive depth profoundly shaped Simone’s musical philosophy.
Her classical piano and vocal background, advanced jazz training and decades of professional experience give her an exceptional command of harmony, rhythm, phrasing, interpretation, improvisation and storytelling.
EDUCATION, MENTORING & CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Through You Have A Voice, Simone works as a vocal coach, mentor, workshop facilitator and creative leader.
Her work includes:
* Vocal and performance coaching
* Artist development
* Song interpretation
* Recording workshops
* Professional development for singers and educators
* Masterclasses and cultural exchange programs
* Creative retreats
* Career and repertoire development
Her international education work has included programs in Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and Uganda.
In Uganda, Simone worked with the internationally recognised Watoto Children’s Choir, contributing to music, mentoring and cultural exchange.
Through initiatives including You Have A Voice, Song of Your Life Retreat and the You Have A Voice Summit, Simone has created immersive programs that combine vocal development, creativity, confidence, personal insight and meaningful artistic expression.
SELECTED COLLABORATORS
Tommy Emmanuel • James Morrison • Paul Grabowsky • Marcus Printup • Nadje Noordhuis • Mary Kiani • David Jones • Philip Rex • Rai Thistlethwayte • James Muller • Warwick Alder • Jack Pantazis • Paul Mason • Damien Cooper • Gregg Arthur • Doug Williams • Michael Tan • Tony Azzopardi • Pat Powell • Martha Baartz
SELECTED CRITICAL ACCLAIM
“In this crowded, noisy world of allegedly ‘unique’ singers, Simone distinguishes herself as an extraordinarily pure singer-songwriter and performer.”
George Massenburg, Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer
“This amazing album, Simone Waddell’s fifth, has so much going for it it’s difficult to know where to start… Australian music has rarely seen such a prodigious assembly of talent on one superb album.”
Eric Myers, The Australian
“Simone brings a modern approach to contemporary jazz while remaining true to the art form.”
Erik Zobler, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer
“I have worked with many awe-inspiring vocalists, and Simone Waddell is amongst the very best.”
Martha Baartz, Australian saxophonist
SIMONE WADDELL LIVE
Whether performing in an intimate jazz club, major theatre, concert hall or festival, Simone Waddell delivers performances of exceptional musicality, warmth and emotional connection.
Her work combines vocal mastery, artistic integrity, sophisticated musicianship and a genuine ability to reach audiences through the power of song.
Simone does not simply present concerts. She creates memorable musical experiences that remain with audiences long after the final note.
