Kristen Smigielski is a vocalist currently based in Buffalo, NY. She sings a diverse range of music, from Jazz and Pop, to Classical and Contemporary. She completed her Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University at Buffalo, having received both the Baird and Opera Scholarships. Additionally, she studied choir conducting, and received a scholarship to attend the Harold Rosenbaum International Choir Conducting Institute. Kristen was nominated for 2018 JazzBuffalo Rising Star Jazz Artist of the Year, and Jazz Female Vocalist of the Year. She has taught voice and piano privately for years, and was also a Teaching Assistant in voice with the Music Department at Buffalo State College. Kristen is pursuing her second graduate degree, a Master of Science in Education, at Buffalo State College. She is a member of the JazzBuffalo Advisory Council, and performs in many local bands, as well as her own Jazz combo.
The Kristen Smigielski Combo puts their own spin on the classic Jazz standards, bringing old music to a new generation. Together they perform at many events, venues, and festivals across New York State, including Alchemy Wine & Beer, Ashker’s, Becker Brewing Company, Becker Farms MainStage, Buffalo Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Iron Works, The Burchfield Penney Art Center, Cafféology, Carnegie Art Center, The Cass Project, The Chandelier Bar at Salvatore’s, D’Avolio’s, Hallwall’s, InnBuffalo, Kleinhans Music Hall, The Irishman, Larkin Square, Mambrino King, Mangia Ristorante & Caffe, The Mansion at Knox Farm State Park, Merge, Milo’s, Mr. Goodbar, Nietzsche’s, Patina 250, Pausa Art House, Penny Lane Café, Raclettes, Riley Street Station, The Roycroft Inn, Stamps the Bar, SunCliff on the Lake, Taste, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, The Terrace at Delaware Park, Wine on Hertel, 9th Ward at Babeville, and many more. In addition, they have played during Allentown First Fridays, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Community Spotlight, East Aurora Music Fest, East Aurora Street Festival, Elmwood Village Association events, Food Truck Tuesday’s at Larkin Square, Knox Holiday Arts and Crafts Show, M&T Bank 2nd Friday’s at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, Music is Art, Music on Main, and the Northwest Jazz Festival. In addition, they volunteer their musical talents at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo.