The charismatic New York vocalist and pianist is the talk of Manhattan and shines through her talent and artistic maturity. Still in her mid-20s, Champian has got the lived in voice that gives authority to all the classic show songs and has already played with such masters as Jimmy Cobb, Frank Wess, Lou Donaldson, Louis Hayes, and other jazz greats. Champian grew up in a family of musicians and has always been immersed in jazz. After graduating of her high school in 2003, she moved to New York to pursue a degree in jazz piano and performance at SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, a school that appealed to her since it had 100 practice rooms with Steinway grand pianos that were available 24 hours a day. One of her main professors was trumpeter Jon Faddis, who taught with the wisdom of one who had been actively involved in recording and touring for decades and tailored his instruction to his students' interests. Champian graduated in 2006 but had already been a professional musician for years at that time.
She made her recording debut with "Champian and the Sultans of Swing" in 2006. It was followed by "Sometimes I'm Happy" (Venus Records - 2009), "The Breeze and I"(Gut Strings Records - 2010) and "Champian Sings and Swings" (Sharp Nine Records 2013), an album which featured Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone. She is now preparing a new album to be released in 2014.
One of Champian's first vocal influences was Dinah Washington, especially her album For Those in Love, which she played repeatedly, while Sarah Vaughan soon became a favorite, too. Among the pianists who influenced her, she mentions Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Erroll Garner, Bud Powell, Hampton Hawes and Sonny Clark.
