Born in Formigine (Modena), she has developed, from an early age, a path that crosses genres, languages, and musical traditions, always placing vocal expression at the center of her artistic research. After classical studies, she began her career as a jazz singer in the clubs of Bologna, performing alongside musicians such as Tomaso Lama, Ares Tavolazzi, and Giorgio Baiocco. Her time in London at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama between 1986 and 1988 marked a key stage in her development, where she deepened her knowledge of mainstream and contemporary jazz while engaging with leading figures of the international scene such as Kenny Wheeler and Paolo Fresu. 

Back in Italy, she combined her jazz training with a solid academic background, graduating in classical singing from the Conservatory of Rovigo and later in jazz music from the Conservatory of Trento under Franco D’Andrea. Further studies at Siena Jazz and periods in New York completed a formative journey enriched by encounters with artists such as Lee Konitz and Sheila Jordan.

Her artistic work follows an original path that connects jazz, contemporary music, world music, folk traditions, gospel, and chamber repertoire. With a versatile and refined voice, she moves naturally across very different musical contexts, gradually shaping a personal language that brings together improvisation, timbral research, and attention to lyrics.

Since 1988, she has been involved in numerous projects ranging from Mediterranean music to fusion, collaborating with musicians and composers such as Geoff Warren, Marco Lucchi, and Andrea Centazzo. Her work soon expanded into contemporary music and experimentation, taking part in recording and orchestral projects alongside major figures such as Kenny Wheeler, George Russell, Henry Threadgill, Cristina Mazza, and Paolo Fresu.

At the same time, she has developed a deep interest in oral traditions and Celtic music, performing at major festivals in Italy and abroad, including Cassero Jazz, Folk-Est, Suoni delle Dolomiti, and the Edinburgh Festival.

Her passion for gospel led her to found the Afro-American Choral Workshop, later evolving into the ensemble Upper and Higher, with which she performed with the band Nomadi between 1999 and 2003. During the same period, she was also involved in recording projects and productions for theatre, film, and sound design.

From 2003 to 2006, she was vocalist in Rita Pavone’s stage production La mia favola infinita, an experience that further confirmed her ability to move across diverse musical worlds. In the following years, she increasingly focused on her own artistic projects, releasing works such as Guccini in Jazz and A Vision, both well received by critics.

In 2021, she released Tango per Ida (Koinè–Dodicilune), a project dedicated to tango canción featuring Italian-language adaptations of classic Argentine repertoire, alongside pianist Fabrizio Mocata and cellist Enrico Guerzoni. In 2026, she released In Her Own Words on Azzurra Music, a duo project with pianist Paolo Birro, offering a refined tribute to the poetic universe of American writer and lyricist Fran Landesman.

Alongside her performing career, Lorena Fontana has maintained an intense compositional activity for over forty years. A member of SIAE since 1984, she has written music for artistic, institutional, and recording projects. Her works include Mother’s Milk Lullaby for the Italian National Institute of Health, L’Angelo Caduto for Nomadi, Io gioco, the song representing France at the 50th Zecchino d’Oro, and The Link, selected in 2011 for the international Invitation to Composers competition by the London Schubert Players.

Her artistic contribution to jazz and contemporary music is documented in major reference publications such as Who Is Who in British Jazz by Tom Lord, Donne in Jazz by the Adkins-Chiti Foundation, and Nuovo Jazz Italiano by Roberto Franchini.

An inquisitive and independent artist, Lorena Fontana continues to explore the dialogue between musical cultures, improvisation, and composition, maintaining a constant openness toward research and innovation.