From twenty-year-old conservatoire student Sarah Omar comes this dazzling tribute to one of jazz’s greatest icons, Ella Fitzgerald. Adopting all the pearly glamour of mid-century America, Omar gives heart-warming and toe-tapping renditions of some classics from the First Lady of Jazz.

Tucked away in a cosy room above George Street, the audience is instantly transported back in time when Omar steps out in a glittering ballgown and takes her place by the grand piano. Accompanied by the equally talented, and equally youthful, Lewis James on keys, one soon becomes immersed in the mesmerising skill of these debuting musicians.

Omar’s voice is knock-out, with a rich and decadent smoothness that lends itself perfectly to the ballads of Fitzgerald. Warming, welcoming and greatly expressive, the stories and sentiments behind these jazz classics are brought to life in front of the audience, broken up nicely by wandering and dreamy piano fills.

It is clear that both musicians not only enjoy but also truly understand the music of Fitzgerald. Omar’s scats and runs clearly bear Ella’s influence, but also have their own style unique to this young singer. Whilst she can belt it out in moments of crescendo, her head voice, as demonstrated in songs like ‘Misty’, is refreshingly light, aerated and wholly enrapturing.

While her stage presence is already good, the only thing missing from this performance is a bit more confidence from Omar, who at times, understandably, showed her nerves. Aside from this, ‘Ella’ will be a certain hit for jazz enjoyers and experts alike, not least to watch inspiring young talent take to the stage.

‘Ella‘ is at Le Monde – Dirty Martini until Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 17:00