The early buzz about MEMOIR, the eclectic debut CD from jazz pianist, singer, & songwriter Sandy Asirvatham
"...she walks a fine line between singer/songwriter and jazz chanteuse with some Tin Pan Alley in the mix, smartly turning phrases and crafting peculiarly appealling melodies...poetic, personal lyrics richly underscored by her idiosyncratic piano playing and tasteful accompaniment by such players as drummer Frank Russo and guitarist Chris Kennedy....gravitas and bittersweet lure..."~John Lewis, BALTIMORE MAGAZINE
“What a terrific maiden voyage! Smart chords and lyrics met by perfect solos. Wonderful construction of tunes...Some work is made by artists because they MUST create it. Sandy is one of those artists. Beautiful.â€~Claire Daly, baritone saxophonist, four-time winner of Downbeat Critic’s Poll“Sandy has written and produced some music that reflects her literary background and her musical background. This is great music. She’s created music that’s for everybody, but never ‘dumbed down,’ not even for a moment. You need this in your record collection.â€~Alex Norris, trumpet player, composer, and Fresh Sounds recording artist“What is most engaging for me as an instrumentalist is the surprisingly wide palette of timbres and emotional depth Sandy brings to her music. She is a JOY to work with!â€~Jim McFalls, trombone performer and jazz educator“Sandy Asirvatham has made an impressive debut CD with MEMOIR. Her piano playing is very pleasing, and together with her supportive ensemble, the music is beautiful. The voice is clear and truthful...the songs are lyrically fresh and inventive. I say BRAVA, Sandy!â€~Nora York, singer and multi-genre performance artistA 1994 graduate of Columbia University's MFA in fiction writing and a former columnist for Baltimore CityPaper, Sandy was supposed to be working on a novel when she instead got sidetracked by music. Strictly an amateur, music-reading pianist in her 20s, by her mid-30s she had became a jazz improviser good enough to go pro, as well as composer & arranger.
In 2006 Sandy began putting her storytelling skills in the service of original songs. Sandy's debut CD, MEMOIR includes 9 originals and 3 standards, as well as a genre-defying variety of grooves and moods, and features some of the DC area's best jazz musicians. For more info check out her website at www.sandysmemoir.com.
All tracks above were written & arranged by Sandy (piano, voice, synth). The band: Frank Russo drums & perc, Amy Shook bass & violin/viola, Dani Cortaza acoustic guitar, Chris Kennedy electric guitars, Jim McFalls trombone, Tom Williams Jr. trumpet.
Photo above (c) 2006 Brian J. Berman/Rocktography Visuals. Profile photo (c) 2008 Alexandra Bull/StairStep Kids Photography
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