I’m Sundas Naqvi, a Chicago-based jazz and folk vocalist, songwriter, and occasional vocal coach. My work lives somewhere between the structure of jazz and the intimacy of folk, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, emotion, and the small details that make a song feel personal.

I grew up in southern England, where music, literature, and the arts were a steady part of my life. I later studied English Literature and Music Studies at the University of Brighton, an experience that deepened my interest in songwriting, live performance, and the relationship between language and music. I’ve always been drawn to songs that leave room for interpretation and make ordinary experiences feel worth noticing.

After moving to Chicago in my late twenties, I found a creative community that felt both challenging and welcoming. Since then, I’ve performed in jazz lounges, independent coffeehouses, private events, and seasonal festivals throughout the city. I enjoy reworking familiar standards, exploring contemporary folk influences, and writing music around themes like resilience, belonging, family, memory, and connection.

I also spend part of my time working with aspiring singers and songwriters. Through private vocal coaching and beginner songwriting workshops, I try to help people become more comfortable with their own voices rather than chasing someone else’s sound.

Outside of music, I’m usually reading, taking street photographs, exploring Chicago’s architecture and neighborhoods, finding a new coffee shop, or spending time around youth soccer. I also volunteer as an assistant coach, which has become one of my favorite ways to stay involved in the community.

For me, creativity is really about paying attention. Music gives me a way to turn those observations into something shared.