
ABOUT
Born to a Sri Lankan father and German mother, Stefan Mahendra’s musical journey began at a piano bench in South London, guided by his mother’s encouragement and early classical training. But it wasn’t long before he veered off the traditional path - drawn deeply into the world of jazz, soul, and R&B.
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His early discovery of American gospel greats like Smokie Norful - artists who weren’t just masterful pianists but also powerful vocalists - inspired a deeper passion for both playing and singing. That influence led him to icons like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and D’Angelo: legends who built their songs from the keys up, crafting entire sonic worlds from the piano. It's this lineage that flows through Stefan’s music - soulful, grounded, and effortlessly timeless.
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Stefan Mahendra has sold out every headline show he has put on
to date. His live journey began with a sold-out debut at
PizzaExpress Jazz Club, Holborn in 2022, followed by multiple
sold-out performances at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
in 2023. That same year, he headlined The Lower Third in Soho to a sold-out crowd, confirming his growing reputation as a powerful live artist.
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Since then, Stefan’s profile has continued to rise internationally.
In 2024, he opened for US soul sensation Jarrod Lawson on his
UK tour, before supporting Death Row Records artist October
London on his sold-out UK run in 2025. Later that year, he joined
legendary soul group The Stylistics on their 24-date UK tour,
performing to audiences across the country. Most recently, in
February 2026, Stefan supported Joss Stone on her US West
Coast tour - his biggest milestone to date.
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With a highly anticipated second EP set for release in March 2026, Stefan Mahendra continues to carve out his space as one of the most distinctive voices in modern R&B and Soul.
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