Sophistication, stylish stage presence, depth and vocal technique at its best are the core and fabric of the sparkling talent of this diva. Carla White is one of the most accomplished, intelligent and authentic jazz singers on the scene. The Los Angeles Times wrote:"...a singer who blends interpretive intelligence with a solid musical grounding and a sure sense of swing...her capacity to range so freely and easily from impressive scat singing to rich interpretation was one of her most striking achievements...her lines were filled with unusual twists and turns, energized by her nonstop rhythmic drive...she deserves to be heard..." The New York Times said: "Miss White's primary assets are her warm, confident middle and low registers and sensitive expiration of lyrics." And the Chicago Tribune said: "One of the most impressive performers to come along in years is Carla White...a fiercely original approach to the cabaret and jazz repertoire...profound sensitivity to the meaning of the lyric...an unusually accomplished interpreter."

Born in Oakland, California and raised in Bellport, New York, Carla earliest musical education came from her parents' record collection, listening to "everything from Stravinsky to Sinatra" But her discovery of jazz at the age of 13 had a profound effect, setting her future in motion. "The first time you hear jazz - really hear it", she explains, "if it connects with your soul, it changes your life." After years of study in music, drama and dance that included two years at London's prestigious Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, she embarked on a personal journey of exploration through Europe and North Africa. For nearly a year she traveled amidst the rich cultural diversity, singing in the streets, and even living in a cave. Remembering that uniquely edifying time Carla says: "I traveled in an old VW van with no planned itinerary. I went wherever I felt like going whenever I felt like going there. The one exception was Franco's Spain where I spent a night in prison for no reason other than being young and foreign. Everyday was a leap into the unknown. Now I satisfy my desire for adventure by leaping into a solo and exploring new musical territory. " Upon returning to New York City in the early 70's, her jazz studies began in earnest with the legendary innovative pianist/composer Lennie Tristano. Combining the lessons learned from her mentor with the age-old jazz method of singing along with recordings of master improvisers like Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday and Fats Navarro, Carla developed the jazz vocabulary that has earned her accolades and critical praise.

Taking every opportunity to learn and grow, Carla waited tables at Hanratty's a now defunct, but well-known New York club that featured top stride pianists like Dick Wellstood, Ralph Sutton, Davee McKenna and Johnny Guarnieri. Working the late shift, she would often perform a few numbers with the featured pianists, learning in the most classic on-the-bandstand tradition. In 1985 Carla launched her critically acclaimed career as a solo artist. In 1987 she produced her first album for Milestone Records, Orient Express.

Carla is listed in the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment