Having an exquisite voice, a disarmingly wide vocal range, and a style that is deeply rooted in the tradition of the great jazz vocalists, Gillian Margot possesses a gift of storytelling and stunning lyrical delivery. A native of Toronto, Canada, Margot studied under a generation of jazz legends including Oscar Peterson, Freddy Cole, Carol Welsman, and Norman Simmons. Equally at home in the musical worlds of jazz, R&B, chamber, and pop, she has been invited to perform in major venues worldwide with a long list of top-tier talent, including rock icon Sting, famed soprano Kathleen Battle, jazz stars Jeremy Pelt and Chris Botti, and GRAMMY®-winning artists Robert Glasper and Geoffrey Keezer. Additionally, her voice can be heard in commercials, feature films, and television programs including Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees (IMAX 2002), New Year (Doublesee 2010), Lethal Weapon (FOX 2016), The Young and The Restless (2016-2019), and One Good Reason (Alone.Calm 2020).
Margot has released three albums as a band leader: a live album, A Pink-Filled Sky (Margot Media, 2010) in Canada; Black Butterfly (Hipnotic Records, 2016) produced by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt for her U.S. debut; and Power Flower (Ropeadope Records 2020) a self-produced work, is an homage to her affinity for the Jazz, Pop, and Funk of the 70s and 80s. Her latest album of duets, simply titled Gillian Margot & Geoffrey Keezer (MarKeez Records, 2025) “marks a felicitous inflection point in the discographies of both musicians, each an erudite master of their instrument,” according to Ted Panken (Downbeat Magazine).
In addition to performing worldwide, Gillian Margot is one of two vocal faculty on OpenStudioJazz.com offering courses and masterclasses online, and has recently joined the faculty of Swing University presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center. She holds a Double Baccalaureate in Fine Arts with Honours (Music & Anthropology) from York University in Toronto, and a Master of Music (Jazz) from The Juilliard School in New York City.
Gillian Margot’s a jazz singer, and clearly has a fantastic ability to use her voice with the dexterity of an instrument – but she also brings in some nice currents of soul to this standout set [on Power Flower].
— DUSTY GROOVE, CHICAGO
Gillian has a love for song and the storytelling aspect of musical performance. The tone and sincerity of her voice, her remarkable presence and knowledge, use of phrasing, and ability to communicate with an audience make her relatable and personable. She has a penchant for hard work and a tendency to win over an audience.
– JEREMY PELT (Trumpeter/ Recording Artist/ Producer)
Margot’s smoky contralto, solid pitch and warm delivery might remind some listeners of Dianne Reeves and the multi-tracked background voices are a creative plus.
– NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD
…a rich, clear and earthy voice, both rhythmic and free… strong in voice yet vulnerable in spirit, conversant and still melodic… This lady needs to be heard!
– L.A. JAZZ WEEKLY