San Francisco native, Sonya Distel grew up on the Northern California music scene as daughter of celebrated jazz drummer, the late Paul Distel and bassist Carolyn Distel. Her musical training began early and by age five she had already begun studying classical piano, performing in musical theater and singing with her parents’ band. Her family exposed her to a variety of great jazz and R&B artists from Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Prince.

By thirteen she had begun writing and performing her own music, mixing those early jazz, R&B, funk and pop influences for club audiences throughout California. Sonya became known for her soulful, powerhouse vocal style, musical versatility and ability to create lush harmonies and melodic arrangements. As a young adult, she continued her formal musical education and acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis on Jazz and Pop from San Francisco State University.