Sachal Vasandani

Friday, September 29th and Saturday, September 30th

Sachal Vasandani

Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of the most compelling voices on the scene today. Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands, and the vulnerability to present definitive takes on ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across changes and time signatures is as unique as it is disciplined, and he has come be regarded as one of the great vocal improvisors.

His latest record, the groundbreaking SLOW MOTION MIRACLES, showcases Sachal’s original compositions- fantastic melodies in a fresh style, inflected with popular music . SLOW MOTION MIRACLES was produced by Steely Dan’s Michael Leonhart and released on Sony/Okeh. Sachal has released three prior records with the Mack Avenue label. His 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts.  Produced by John Clayton, it featured vocal legend Jon Hendricks.

A native of Chicago Sachal grew up listening to his parents’ modern jazz records, pop music by the Beatles and Michael Jackson, and the East Indian music of his heritage. In college at the University of Michigan he studied economics, and was instructed in the U-M’s jazz and classical music programs. He was a winner in the 1999 Downbeat magazine Student Jazz Awards in the Collegiate Vocal category, and earned a semifinalist berth in the 2005 Thelonious Monk Institute Competition.

Sachal has been touring clubs (i.e. Blue Note, Ronnie Scott’s), theaters (Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall) and festivals (North Sea, Nice Jazz) consistently since 2007.  When not leading his own groups, he has performed alongside greats like Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin,  Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Michael Feinstein and many more.  A frequent collaborator with musicians of all styles, he has two originals on pianist Gerald Clayton’s Life Forum, which was nominated for a 2013 Grammy. He is an in-demand lyricist and composer for other artists across the world.

Sachal Vasandani is also a preeminent educator, bridging a strong technical foundation, the discipline of deep jazz study, and an openness to compelling music of all styles. Through his workshops, classes, and lessons at major institutions worldwide, Sachal has honed a style of teaching that is as encouraging as it is thorough.

Showtimes:  7:30pm and 9:30pm.       Admission:  $25.