The Hot Sardines

Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again and prove that joyful music can bring people together in a disconnected world. Returning from a sold-out performance, The Hot Sardines bring the sounds of the 20s, 30s, and 40s to the 21st century. A beloved jazz ensemble in their home of New York City, The Hot Sardines has garnered a following of music lovers and critics alike with their unique covers of classic standards. Led by vocalist “Miz Elizabeth” Bougerol and Evan “Bibs” Palazzo, the jazz group brings together sounds from New Orleans, Paris, and New York to make music unlike any other.

The creation of The Hot Sardines is an interesting story. Founders Evan Palazzo and Elizabeth Bougerol were enjoying careers in film production and writing, but both felt somewhat disillusioned with the life they were leading. With a shared dream of performing in a jazz band, the two responded to the same Craiglist advertisement and The Hot Sardines was formed. In another incredible set of circumstances, Palazzo and Bougerol booked their first gig from an anonymous inquiry for a jazz band to perform at a last minute gig. The last minute gig happened to be the Midsummer’s Night Swing at Lincoln Center in New York, and from their debut performance, The Hot Sardines have only gotten hotter.

The group’s high-energy performances and infectious melodies have continued to earn The Hot Sardines fans from around the world. Inspired by greats including Fats Waller, Django Rheinhardt, and Louis Armstrong, the jazz ensemble released their self-titled debut album on iTunes in 2014. An immediate success, the album spent over a year on the Billboard Jazz Charts and debuted in the top 10 alongside Michael Buble, Lady Gaga, and Tony Bennett. Always pushing boundaries and keeping fans on their toes, The Hot Sardines has released a number of shocking interpretations of classics from a tango version of “People Will Say We’re in Love” from the musical Oklahoma! to Robert Palmer’s 1985 song “Addicted to Love,” reimagined with Miz Elizabeth’s soothing vocals. In their latest album, French Fries + Champagne, released in 2016, the Tony-award winning actor Alan Cumming is featured as a guest on the recording “When I Get Low, I Get High.”

As popular in small-town America as they are in New York City, The Hot Sardines have only begun making their mark on the contemporary jazz world. With more than 100 shows a year, the jazz ensemble draws audiences from every generation and background, proving that hard work and innovation breed success. In their performance at The Lyric Theatre, The Hot Sardines will perform the unique interpretations of beloved classics that have brought them fame in America and beyond.