Raphaële Atlan is a vocalist and pianist whose sensitive and luminous style blends the freedom of jazz, the warmth of soul, and the sincerity of folk songwriting. Singer-songwriter with two albums as a leader and numerous collaborations in the jazz and pop worlds, she occupies a unique place in the French jazz scene.

Born in Paris, raised on Bach and Mozart as much as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, in a family also devoted to French chanson (Barbara, Nougaro, Souchon/Voulzy…), Raphaële began learning piano at the age of 8 and wrote her first pieces at 10 before making her stage debut with professional groups at 17.

After rigorous literary studies, she definitively turned to music, enrolling at the American School of Modern Music in Paris in 2003, where she discovered jazz. A student of Michele Hendricks and Pierre de Bethmann, among others, she also took courses and masterclasses with vocalist Sheila Jordan, who strongly encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Her studies in jazz and improvised music continued at the Didier Lockwood Music Center, from which she graduated in 2010.

While Didier Lockwood himself offered to produce her first album, it was ultimately released on the label of her teachers, André Charlier and Benoît Sourisse. Raphaële Atlan then formed her own group with talented musicians from the contemporary scene (Zacharie Abraham, Lucas Sain-Cricq, Nicolas Charlier, later joined by Romain Pilon, Natascha Rogers, and others). At that time, she established herself as a vocalist to be reckoned with, thanks to her first two albums of original compositions, Inner Stories and Give It Time (Gemini Records label, 2011 and 2015), some of which were co-written with Benoît Sourisse, Stéphane Guillaume, and Vincent Bidal. This was followed by two tours in France and internationally, performing in numerous clubs and festivals (Jazzahead, Kriol Jazz Festival, etc.).

Her career is also marked by numerous participations and victories in prestigious competitions (Montreux semi-finalist 2008, Crest Jazz Vocal finalist 2011, winner of Jazz à Vannes and Lagny Jazz Festival 2012, etc.).

Equally skilled as a singer and pianist, her wide-ranging influences (Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Shirley Horn, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Roy Hargrove, Avishai Cohen, Sting, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Barbara, Nougaro, Elis Regina, A.C. Jobim, João Bosco, etc.) inspire her to write personal and poetic lyrics in English and French, set to refined harmonies and grooves that appeal to audiences drawn to jazz and soul as well as folk music and Brazilian bossa nova.

After a few intense years, both intellectually (including obtaining a Master’s degree in Political Arts from Sciences Po Paris in 2020) and personally, Raphaële is currently working on her third album, sensitively and authentically retracing a decade of her life. In a constant interplay, her voice and piano alternate between gentleness and power, weaving original compositions that evoke a world of raw emotion and sophistication.

Also a sideman, Raphaële has had the opportunity to accompany renowned artists such as Ours, Anne Sila, and Liane Foly since 2015, and has collaborated on various projects, notably Irmandade Ensemble with drummer Ananda Brandao during a mini-tour in Brazil in 2023 as part of a partnership between Jazz à Vienne and the SESC in São Paulo.

In addition, a vocal teacher and passionate about pedagogy, Raphaële has taught vocal jazz (technique, interpretation, improvisation) at the American School of Modern Music in Paris since 2019, and regularly performs solo or in trios at prestigious Parisian nightlife venues (Le Grand Palais, Hôtel de Crillon, etc.).

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