As a Dutch and Surinamese vocalist, Zoë draws from her love for storytelling and the Great American Songbook to create authentic, heartfelt performances that honor the tradition of jazz while offering fresh, intimate interpretations.
In the spring of 2026, Zoë graduated with a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans, where she refined her skills and broadened her creative horizons within the rich musical landscape of New Orleans. During her studies, she worked closely with Quiana Lynell and Brian Seeger in weekly one-on-one sessions and studied with Cyrille Aimée, further developing her artistry as both a vocalist and storyteller. She also interned at the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, gaining hands-on experience within the New Orleans music community. She is currently based in New Orleans, where she continues to develop her work as a performer.
In 2026, Zoë released her debut record with the Dutch jazz label Zennez Records: a collection of jazz standards recorded with her guitar trio. The album reflects her deep connection to the Great American Songbook and her ability to reimagine familiar repertoire with warmth, honesty, and a personal contemporary touch. That same year, she received the Ernest O. and Shirley N. Svenson Jazz Composition Award for one of her original compositions, marking an important step in her development as a composer as well as a performer.
Before moving to the United States, Zoë completed her bachelor’s degree at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. She then dedicated herself to both teaching and performing, teaching piano and voice to students of all ages while continuing to explore repertoire from the Great American Songbook. Her love for theater and spoken word continues to shape her performances, adding emotional depth and a personal sense of storytelling to her artistry.
Zoë began her formal music education in the Young Talent Class at the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen before relocating to The Hague in 2019 to study vocal jazz.
Born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Zoë moved to the Netherlands with her family at age four. Growing up in a musical household surrounded by the soulful voices of Sam Cooke and Etta Jones, she developed an early love for live, improvised performance in her parents’ restaurant and music venue. She began with piano lessons, but discovering vocal jazz was a turning point. Drawn to the emotional honesty of Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Billie Holiday, she found her own voice through song.
Over the years, Zoë has performed at venues across the Netherlands and the United States, collaborating with ensembles that share her commitment to creating honest and heartfelt musical experiences. For her, music is more than expression; it is connection. Through her performances, she invites listeners to reflect, feel, and share in the stories she tells.