Holly Palmer - Early Years

Early Years

Palmer was born in Santa Monica, California in 1971, and grew up primarily in Redmond, Washington, near Seattle. Her Finnish-born mother, who worked for an airline, was the breadwinner in their unorthodox household. Holly's father was a writer who sang songs by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Bob Dylan around the house.

Growing up, Holly played the family piano whenever possible, and played the flute in a school music ensemble. In the eighth grade, she switched to the saxophone so that she could sing with the school's jazz band. She soon began singing standards with the group, and became inspired by visionary jazz singer Sarah Vaughan, whose innovative interpretations would make an enormous mark on Palmer's iconoclastic style. After high school, Holly attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA before making her way to Boston, Massachusetts to stay with a friend. She attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music.