Madeleine Peyroux: American Singer-Songwriter

Madeleine Peyroux is an American singer-songwriter whose music is a blend of jazz, blues, folk and gospel. Born on December 18th, 1974 in Athens, Georgia, she has been captivating audiences since releasing her debut album Dreamland in 1996. Her first album was met with critical acclaim and earned her comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf. Since then, she has released eight studio albums, most recently Secular Hymns in 2016.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Peyroux was raised in Paris by her mother, an American poet who left her father when Madeleine was a young child. She began performing on Parisian streets when she was 16 years old. After moving back to the U.S., she formed the band The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band with whom she toured extensively. This eventually led to a major label record deal, and the release of Dreamland.

Breakthrough Success with Careless Love

In 2004, Peyroux released her second album Careless Love which featured the single “Don’t Wait Too Long”. The album was a commercial success and won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album. It was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 2005 Brit Awards.

Recent Projects

Peyroux has continued to release albums to critical acclaim over the past decade. She released Standing on the Rooftop in 2011 and Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile in 2013. In 2016, she released Secular Hymns, featuring covers of songs by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. Most recently, she released Anthem in 2019 which features originals as well as covers of songs by Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave.

Legacy

Madeleine Peyroux has become one of the most acclaimed female singers of her generation thanks to her unique blend of jazz, blues, folk and gospel. She has been praised for her evocative lyrics and captivating voice which have made her a favorite among fans and critics alike.