Seasoned Australian jazz artist, ABC jazz recording artist, and APRA and Australian Song Writing Awards winner, Sharny Russell’s vocal and pianistic talents are recognised throughout the Australian music (especially jazz) community. She writes songs that go straight to the heart and mind of audience and musicians alike, and is widely known for her vocal scat ability, which she often performs in unison with her piano.

She has recorded with George Golla, sung with Katie Noonan, performed with James Morrison, Emma Pask, Darren Percival, Galapagos Duck, and George Washingmachine, supported Vince Jones and Martin Taylor, and toured with Grace Knight – to name a few. She has been complimented by U.S. legends James Moody and Ray Brown who, during one of their tour visits to Australia, came every night to hear her play in her Sheraton residency.

After sustaining horrific injuries in a car crash in her early 20’s and being told that she may never sing again, Sharny has gone from strength to strength. She was on the teaching staff at Queensland Conservatorium for many years until recently, and is now principal vocal teacher at the Jazz Music Institute, located in Brisbane.

In her teaching career Sharny has had well-known artists come through her studio – Kristin Berardi, Elly Hoyt, Megan Washington, and Dami Im – to name a few. Sharny released a full originals album “A Good Thing on Hold” on ABC Classics in 2003. She has also recorded 2 albums “Velvet Jazz” and “Velvet Live” with iconic guitarist George Golla.