Sera Kalo
Biography Sera Kalo
Sera Kalo
is a U.S. Afro-Caribbean musician and songwriter. She grew up in a Caribbean home in Connecticut steeped in a mix of musical styles, from her St. Lucian mother’s soulful singing of old hymns and Motown classics to her Dominican father’s love of reggae, cadence and calypso. From a young age, the diverse musical influences of her childhood home combined with the suburban big city sound and various alternative style mixes shaped her love for music. Her vocal idols have among others been Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, India Arie and Erykah Badu.
At the age of eight, Sera fell in love with classical music, particularly the works of Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. She was convinced that she would become a classical pianist, but years later she discovered her love for singing after listening to Monica’s recording of “Angel of Mine.” Sera was too shy to perform in public, so from then on she played alto and tenor saxophone, guitar and classical piano. It was the song “At Last” by Etta James that finally awakened her subconscious desire to sing, leading to her first public performance at the age of 14. Sera went on to study classical piano, but eventually focused more on her voice. Her vocal idols included Carmen McRae, Eva Cassidy, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Amel Larrieux and Erykah Badu.
In New York, Sera met a bassist who later became a good friend and introduced her to the magic of jazz legends like Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman. The Kitchen, the 55 Bar, Smalls, the Village Vanguard, the Jazz Standard and the Stone became her regular haunts, where she immersed herself in the sounds of improvisation and free jazz.
Today, Sera’s unique timbre and musical expression are the foundation of her collaborations and distinctive sound, and she is not locked into any particular style. Her penchant for music that crosses genres is also evident in her work as a songwriter and performer. Sera has contributed to over 18 albums produced in Germany and Asia, and has made a lasting impact on the Berlin music scene with her upcoming jazz-soul project Seraleez. In 2019, she released four singles, including “Serenity” (solo), as well as “No No Never” and “Let Me Know” from her second album “So Precious” with Seraleez.
In April 2022, Sera was nominated for the Listen to Berlin Audience Award 2020 along with Isaac de Martin for their song “In My Feelings,” which was released on the Italian label Four Flies Records. Sera’s previous projects include the band SoulSom, Seraleez and La By’le, and her current projects include her newest band Sera Kalo’s eXante and IKE and The Great Escape. With her unique sound and versatility, Sera Kalo is a force to be reckoned with in the music world.
