Miriam Altman

Miriam Altman is a South African vocalist, songwriter and producer – an artist and a storyteller. She creates jazz music that is vibrant, intimate, contemplative and soul-stirring, while also playful and unexpected.

Her life, lived across continents and amongst multiple cultures, has translated into a unique sound that connects jazz to African rhythms, blues, rock, spirituals, and classical music. With a foundation in classical voice and opera, she brings both technical control and a depth of lived experience to her interpretive style.

Miriam is a compelling vocal presence, known for expressive and inventive interpretations that draw listeners into a deeply felt and personal musical world.

Her recent releases — The Train, Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing, and Undun — communicate this emotion, complexity and meaning, blending jazz sensibilities with subtle African rhythmic textures and contemporary soul influences. These songs have already attracted a growing engaged local and global audience. The Train was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC).

Miriam’s forthcoming album, The Butterfly Project, created in collaboration with award winning producer and pianist Luyanda Madope and a group of seasoned musicians, explores themes of fragility, loss, renewal, and passion, reflecting a deeply personal and unconventional artistic journey. The Butterfly Project artists, in addition to Miriam and Luyanda, include Tendai Shoko, Dalisu Ndlazi, Sunnyboy Mthimunye, Lungile Kunene, Tlale Makhene and Kuki Mokubetsi.

With a growing audience across South Africa, the United States, Canada and Europe, she is building a presence within the global jazz landscape, with music that translates to curated and festival stages.