JAZZ SINGER/SONG WRITER/EDUCATOR
 

Sofya Chekster is a jazz singer and songwriter from Hamburg, Germany. Her musical journey began in Russia when she was just four years old. At the age of sixteen, she heard jazz for the first time—and it was love at first sight. Sofia studied the art of jazz in two countries. In Russia, she earned her bachelor's degree at the Rachmaninov State Conservatory in Rostov. She then completed her master's degree through the Doctor Langner Jazzmaster program at HfMT Hamburg, Germany. Her mentor on this journey was the renowned jazz vocalist and composer JD Walter (New York, USA).

Sofia enjoys experimenting, blending different styles, and incorporating elements from various cultures into her music. She also loves arranging music. For example, her graduation concert featured songs from various nationalities in original arrangements, ranging from Dance of Fire (Aziza Mustafa Zadeh) to Autobahn (Kraftwerk) and "Earlier, Fires Reflected in Your Eyes" (Viktor Tsoi).

During the pandemic, when collaboration opportunities were limited, Sofia dedicated herself to self-expression through songwriting. The result was her debut EP The Land Across The Sea, released in 2021. It was presented during an online concert on Hamburg Stream. At the end of 2021, Sofia took part in the Jazz City Hamburg CD project/competition, where she was selected as one of the musicians to record a track for a jazz album. In September 2023, she released her second album, Dreams Come True.

Currently, Sofya is focusing on writing vocal arrangements, as well as Big Band arrangements of songs from her Dreams Come True album. On stage, she performs her own material along with jazz standards in local clubs. She can also often be found at Hamburg jam sessions, where she hones her improvisational skills and connects with new musicians.

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Media Quotes:

 

Sofya Chekster is a passionate and dedicated jazz musician with a warm musical personality, sophisticated compositions, and an ability to captivate audiences

    JDWalter (jazz singer, composer, educator, artist at JWALRECproductions)

 

Sofya has a lot of potential. She is making the enormous strides towards success. Her music is naïve and motivating at the same time.

    Sasha Mashin (drummer, educator, producer and artsit at Rainy Days Label)