For international vocalist Tracy Hamlin, music is more than a career; it is her heart and soul. Her journey is a masterclass in the “multifaceted hustle”: a modern jazz artist who is a powerhouse performer, a savvy executive, and a dedicated philanthropist all at once—everything done with heart.

When asked about the most unforgettable moment of her career, Hamlin doesn’t hesitate. “The very first time I performed with Carlos Santana… it was truly like an out-of-body experience,” she recalls. In an unrehearsed collaboration at the NAMM Show, Santana began to mirror Hamlin’s soaring vocal runs on his guitar. “It was magical,” she says. That moment did more than just affirm her vocal power; it forced her to confront her own worth.

This newfound confidence kicked off a diverse career, allowing her to transition seamlessly into a solo vocalist and sought-after collaborator for icons like Gloria Gaynor and Will Downing.

Hamlin launched DMH Records in 2005, naming it after her mother to root the organization in family values. The label has yielded Hamlin multiple No. 1 hits on the UK Soul Charts.

Beyond her own success, she uses her label and her Sweet Jazz Concerts series to mentor other artists and fund music scholarships for the community. For her, the “hustle” is the engine that drives her ability to give back. “If you can change or save one life, you’ve done a mighty thing,” she says. Hamlin’s proudest achievements are found in the community.

This blend of business acumen and deep empathy was tested during her personal health battle with breast cancer. Her book, Nothing Can Stop Me Now, chronicles how she leaned into her purpose, using a combination of stillness and stamina to navigate that uncertainty along with her international music career.

Today, that resilience is the heartbeat of her live show, Unstoppable Soul: The Tracy Hamlin Experience. Whether she is performing original tracks or paying tribute to legends like Aretha Franklin, the audience receives an unfiltered version of her journey. “When you get me, you get somebody who has been singing all her life,” Hamlin says. “If nothing else, you hear my soul.”

Enjoy an evening straight from her heart, January 30th.

Article co-written by Middle C Jazz Marketing Support, Kaela Mason and Scott Homewood