Abigail Petersen

Abigail Petersen is a Cape Town-born vocalist, pianist, songwriter and composer. As a four-year-old, Abigail got hooked on the music of Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder, and enthusiastically belted out her renditions of their radio hits while playing the piano. As her musicianship evolved, she gradually drew inspiration from other great artists, including: Al Jarreau, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Beethoven, Björk, Bob Marley, Claude Debussy, Dexter Gordon, Diana Ross, Dinah Washington, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Queen, Sade, Shirley Bassey, Sting and The Beatles.

Her love for music and the stage began at an early age, prompting her to complete a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) and a Master of Music (Composition & Jazz Voice – awarded with distinction) at the University of Cape Town. Abigail’s artistry has been recognised on various occasions. In 2003 she won the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) Overseas Scholarship for best jazz/pop vocals. In 2005 she was nominated for a Naledi Theatre award for best female performance in a musical.

Abigail’s original tunes are influenced by jazz, funk, soul, Latin and other popular genres. Her music is perhaps best described as an eclectic blend of soulful, sultry sounds. Coupled with deep and thought-provoking lyrics, the listener is enticed to follow the ‘musical story’. Everyone can relate to this story in some way or another, because Abigail touches on subjects that are closely related to human nature and life in general. Two of her original jazz tunes, 'Until the Stars Fall from the Sky' and 'Against the Grain', appear on the compilation ‘Johnnie Walker Jazz Impressions at the Green Dolphin Vol. 1’. She also fronts the trio La Luna with Peter Narun on guitar and Kerryn Torrance on violin.

With more than 15 years experience as a musician, Abigail has extensive experience both in studio and on stage. She has performed across South Africa and abroad, including a European tour with the hit musical ‘Kat and the Kings’, as well as performances in New York, Las Vegas and Mozambique.