Cara Campanelli is an award-winning vocalist and bandleader, based in Boston, Massachusetts. With a style reminiscent of the Big Band Era, her voice captures that period's glamour and sophistication with a swinging sense of fun and stunning emotional depth.
Originally from New York, Cara began singing and performing in a variety of styles from a young age. She attended Boston College, where she explored classical Indian singing, fronted the campus big band known as BC Bop, and earned a BA in Music. Since then, she has performed throughout the northeast with various ensembles, including her own Cara Campanelli Group quartet.
Early in her career, Cara was singled out by DownBeat magazine, who named her an Outstanding Vocalist. She was named a "talent to watch" by the legendary trumpeter Wayne Bergeron following her performance at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival.
Her first LP, So Near, received critical acclaim both in the states and abroad, earning international distribution. Her following single, entitled Poor Heart, marked a maturing approach that reinterpreted the '40s torch song for a modern audience. Her original video for the song went on to win Best Music Video at the New York City Independent Film Festival. 2026 saw the release of her Single Girl EP, featuring original arrangements that explore a smoky '60s style, while adding new lyrics to a classic Wes Montgomery instrumental on the powerful "September Song."