Camille Thurman

Thurman took up music at a young age, as she grew up in the St. Albans section of Queens, New York, practicing vocals, piano, and flute before attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts.[5][6][2] She first picked up the tenor saxophone, the instrument she is best known for playing, at the age of 15.[7] She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in geological & environmental science from Binghamton University.[2][5]

Thurman moved back to New York City following her graduation, and played with a wide array of jazz musicians, particularly crediting saxophone player Tia Fuller and vocalist/bassist Mimi Jones with helping her in those early years.[5] Thurman went on to place as a finalist in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, garnering much attention, and leading to her first record deal.[5]

Later in 2013, Thurman released her first album, Spirit Child, on Jones' label, Hot Tone Music.[2] She followed up with her second album on Hot Tone, Origins, in 2014.[2]

Over December 2014 to January 2015 Thurman appeared alongside Charenee Wade, Cyrille Aimée, Allan Harris and an eight-piece band including bassist Mimi Jones in Alex Webb (musician)'s jazz theatre show Cafe Society Swing, at New York's 59E59 Theaters, which received a Critic's Pick from the New York Times.[8]

Thurman later signed to Chesky Records, and released her third album, Inside the Moment, on May 19, 2017, which debuted at #25 on the BIllboard Jazz albums Chart.[2][3]

Thurman released her fourth album, Waiting for the Sunrise, through Chesky Records on August 24, 2018, and the album debuted at #2 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz Albums Chart.[2][3]

• 16th Independent Music Award Nominated - Jazz Song with Vocals "Cherokee"[9]
• 17th Independent Music Award - Jazz Album with Vocals - Waiting for the Sunrise[10]
• 17th Independent Music Award - Jazz Song with Vocals - "The Nearness of You"[10]
• NAACP 50th Image Awards Nominated - Outstanding Jazz Album[11][12]