Biography

Claudia Schmidt is a powerful vocalist and adventurous artist, who combines lively folk, jazz and blues with rich poetry and playful humor. Hailing from Michigan, she knew at a young age that she was destined to be a singer. Performing in numerous choirs throughout her youth, Claudia soon pursued a professional career while in Chicago, leading her to Wisconsin and Minnesota, where she was a frequent guest on the early days of A Prairie Home Companion. Forty years and 16 albums later, Claudia continues to perform on the road to her loyal legions of fans across the country. Mixing folk, jazz, traditional ballads and breathtaking originals, there's not a style she can't master.  Claudia 's incredible voice and charismatic stage presence make her a marvel in concert. 
Claudia has recorded 16 of her own albums, including five on Red House Records and two with singer-songwriter Sally Rogers. She was also featured in Gales of November, a musical theater piece written by Eric Peltoniemi and playwright Steven Dietz featuring Prudence Johnson, Ruth MacKenzie, Peter Ostroushko, Dan Chouinard and Jeff Wilkomm.  
Now living in Minneapolis, she released a retrospective, Bend in the River: Collected Songs, in 2012, a fun, wide-ranging collection of her finest Red House material.
With the 2014 release of a new studio album, New Whirled Order, Claudia returns to the Red House Records fold for her first new album since 2000. With an infectious energy and joy, she continues to delight audiences with her spectacular vocals and instrumental prowess.