Beth Hart (born January 24, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician from Los Angeles, California. Known for her powerful, emotionally exposed voice, Hart works across blues rock, soul, jazz, and contemporary rock. Her music often combines dramatic vocal performances with confessional songwriting, while her live shows have established her as one of the most commanding performers in modern blues.
Hart began playing piano at the age of four and later studied vocals and cello at the Los Angeles High School for the Performing Arts. As a teenager, she became increasingly interested in blues and started performing in Los Angeles clubs. In 1993, she won the female vocalist category on the television talent show Star Search. The exposure did not immediately lead to mainstream success, but it helped Hart build a working career on the club circuit.
She initially recorded as part of the Beth Hart Band, whose album Immortal was released in 1996 through Lava and Atlantic Records. The band appeared on the 1996 Lollapalooza tour, but soon afterward Hart began pursuing a solo career. Her second album, Screamin' for My Supper (1999), produced her best-known early hit, "L.A. Song (Out of This Town)." The single became a major success in New Zealand and reached the upper levels of the American adult contemporary and adult top 40 charts. During the same period, Hart played Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway production Love, Janis, a role that highlighted her affinity for blues and rock traditions.
After leaving Atlantic, Hart released Leave the Light On in 2003. The album marked an important stage in her development, presenting a more direct and personal approach to songwriting. It gained particular attention in Europe and New Zealand, where Hart gradually developed a strong audience. Her international profile continued to grow through the live album Live at Paradiso (2005) and the studio album 37 Days (2007).
Hart's career entered a new phase through her work with guitarist Joe Bonamassa. Their first album together, Don't Explain (2011), paired Hart's dramatic interpretations with Bonamassa's blues guitar and became a significant success in the blues market. They followed it with Seesaw (2013), which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album, Live in Amsterdam (2014), and Black Coffee (2018). These projects introduced Hart to a wider blues audience while allowing her to explore classic soul, blues, and rock material.
Her solo work during this period included My California (2010), Bang Bang Boom Boom (2012), Better Than Home (2015), and Fire on the Floor (2016). War in My Mind (2019), produced by Rob Cavallo, emphasized introspective songwriting and a more intimate sound. Hart later recorded A Tribute to Led Zeppelin (2022), also produced by Cavallo, interpreting songs by the influential British rock band.
In 2024, Hart released You Still Got Me, an album featuring guest appearances from Slash and Eric Gales. She has also worked with artists including Jeff Beck, Slash, and Walter Trout. Across her career, Hart has maintained a distinctive balance between blues tradition and autobiographical rock songwriting, making her one of the genre's most recognizable contemporary vocalists.