Singing along to a karaoke machine on a dare is not the way most aspiring singers begin their career; however, this is how jazz singer Sarah Partridge got her start. While enjoying a successful and busy career as an actress, Partridge went to the Improv in Los Angeles with friends, to enjoy a night out. A karaoke contest began and her chums urged her to participate, just for fun. Partridge, a jazz enthusiast, reluctantly agreed and eventually found an "elevators only" version of "Summertime." Her beautiful, rich voice captivated an L.A. booker, who assumed that she was a professional jazz singer. Before she could say "help" she found herself billed as the featured vocalist in a live jazz salute. This was not an easy accomplishment considering that she knew only ten songs all the way through. Yet, she was a smashing success and hasn't taken a backward step from that evening on. Spending most of her childhood in Boston and attending high school in Alabama, Sarah claims that her father is responsible for her love of jazz. From the time she was born, the only music Sarah heard around the house was Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, Dakota Staton, Irene Kral and of course, Sarah Vaughan. While other kids were singing nursery rhymes, Sarah was humming "Lush Life." She couldn't have avoided this music if she tried. Partridge also developed a keen interest in acting at a young age. She decided to enroll at the prestigious Northwestern University, where she majored in Theater. After receiving her degree, Partridge stayed in Chicago and landed her first feature film role--opposite Tom Cruise in the smash hit, "Risky Business." She then headed west to L.A., where she acted in several film roles and became actively involved in doing commercials and voice-overs. She was often heard portraying super heroes on cartoon shows. Throughout the late eighties and early nineties, Partridge could be seen guest starring in many TV series, sitcoms and soap operas--then came that fateful night at the Improv; an old dream reawakened, she soon shifted the focus of her life back to music.