Home » Jazz Musicians » Sachal Vasandani
Sachal Vasandani
Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands and the vulnerability to present definitive takes of classic ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across lyrics, melodic changes and time signatures is always soulful, and he has come to be regarded as one of the eminent vocal improvisers of his generation.
Sachal’s 2018 release, Shadow Train (GSI), celebrates twin themes of romance and respect with an open spirit. Songs like Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw it Away” highlight this: Sachal’s performance is equal parts virility and empathy. The Nat “King” Cole classic, Unforgettable, is honored with a spare, haunting style, and is revered by listeners with nearly a million streams across platforms since its release in 2019.
Shadow Train is also a showcase of intuitive, organic musicianship at the highest level. Never stifled by tradition, Eric Harland (drums), Taylor Eigsti (piano), Nir Felder (guitar), Dayna Stephens (sax), and Reuben Rogers (bass), focus their collective energy, seducing and enlightening listeners at the same time.
Sachal’s groundbreaking 2015 release Slow Motion Miracles (produced by Steely Dan’s Michael Leonhart for Sony/OKeh), highlights his original compositions - fantastic melodies in a fresh style inflected with popular music. He has recorded three albums as a leader on the Mack Avenue label; his 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Hi-Fly was produced by John Clayton and features vocal legend Jon Hendricks.
Sachal has performed to enthusiastic audiences at all major festivals, theaters, and clubs across the world. He performs with artists of all styles, and has sung alongside musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Natalia LaFourcade and Michael Feinstein. He is also an in-demand lyricist and composer and has collaborated with artists across genres; his singing and writing was featured on Gerald Clayton’s Grammy-nominated album, Life Forum (2013).
A preeminent educator, Sachal bridges a strong technical foundation and disciplined, immersive jazz study with a fundamentally open spirit. Through his workshops, classes, and lessons at multiple institutions around the globe, he has honed a style of teaching that is as encouraging as it is thorough.
Awards
DownBeat Rising Star
Tags
Two Masterful Duos (Night and Day)
by Geno Thackara
Sachal Vasandani and Romain Collin Still Life Edition Records 2022 While the first year of COVID-19 turned the world upside down, Sachal Vasandani and Romain Collin turned sudden isolation into figurative gold. The simple duo album Midnight Shelter (Edition, 2021) was a rich sleeper that proved to continue getting better with time. With the epidemic hardly slowing down over the following couple years, it's fitting that their music kept its inner core of connection and ...
read moreSachal Vasandani: Midnight Shelter
by Geno Thackara
"I'll leave you to your crowds," Sachal Vasandani murmurs to start off an album that couldn't be less suited to being with a crowd. The touch of irony is apt. The sound of Midnight Shelter is a lonely and thoughtful one (a reflection of the music's origin in a season of isolation), yet as with its title, there's a vital comforting angle too. This duality makes a gorgeous and mostly soothing listen for pandemic times. The players don't shy away ...
read moreSachal Vasandani: A Deep Thinking Jazz Singer
by Gregg Akkerman
Even with a few albums behind him, vocalist Sachal Vasandani is still considered a member of the younger generation of jazz musicians. What sets him apart from many of his contemporaries or predecessors is his keen intellectualism when it comes to his musicality and career aspirations. He does not just get by with a gorgeous tone and attractive stage presence and assume the details will take care of themselves. This is a man that still hones his craft and pursues ...
read moreSachal Vasandani: Eyes Wide Open
by Jerry D'Souza
Sachal Vasandani has all the right credentials in tow as he makes his debut recording. He was a semi-finalist at the 2004 Thelonious Monk Institute Competition. He has a string of appearances in New York that have served to showcase his talent as a singer. And he has the right instincts when it comes to selecting the songs for his CD. He does not restrict himself to jazz, a good thing considering that he leans strongly into pop territory here. ...
read moreSachal Vasandani: Eyes Wide Open
by Elliott Simon
Time was when a young good looking velvet-voiced male vocalist equally proficient in the jazz and pop genres had it made. While that is certainly no longer true, Eyes Wide Open reminds why that was the case. This is no nostalgia trip however, and although there are a couple of Strayhorn and Jobim tunes, the session is, in fact, very contemporary. Born in Chicago and now a fulltime NYC resident, Vasandani has found many cozy NYC venues ...
read moreVocalist Sachal Vasandani To Perform Upcoming Shows In New York And Boston Featuring Music From His Upcoming Album "Shadow Train"
Source:
ARE Group
On May 29 and May 30, 2018, Sachal Vasandani will return to New York’s Jazz Standard for a series of shows in support of his latest release on GSI records entitled Shadow Train; he will perform at the Regatta Bar in Cambridge, MA on June 8th for one show. Vasandani’s new album is a showcase of phenomenal musicianship and presents listeners with a repertoire of storied classics that have been masterfully reimagined. The recording will be released later this spring ...
read more
Sachal Vasandani Guest DJ!
Source:
Paul Goldstein
The Jazz Groove announced today that one of the most important jazz singers of our time, Sachal Vasandani, will host his own two-hour radio special. Mr. Vasandani will talk about and play music he has chosen including artists such as Ben Wendel, Gerald Clayton, The New York Trio, Ella Fitzgerald, Ahmad Jamal, Freddie Hubbard, his own music and many other artists. Mr. Vasandani commented, “Choosing songs for The Jazz Groove radio show was a challenge, because so much has influenced ...
read more
Jazz This Week: Sachal Vasandani, Galactic, Kris Davis Quintet, Jan Shapiro, Bucky Pizzarelli and Denise Thimes, and More
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
It's a jam-packed week of jazz and creative music in St. Louis, with local debuts from two noteworthy touring musicians, the return of some familiar favorites, homecoming gigs for three local expats, and lots more. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, singer Sachal Vasandani will make his St. Louis debut, beginning a four-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. Along with Gregory Porter, whom the Bistro presented for the first time in January, Vasandani is one of the most talked-about ...
read more
STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The Song Stylings of Sachal Vasandani
Source:
St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
St. Louis this winter already has seen the local debut of one of the most talked-about male singers in jazz when Gregory Porter came to town in January to perform at Jazz at the Bistro. Now, just a few weeks later are the first St. Louis gigs for the man who's probably been the other most talked-about male jazz singer of recent years besides Porter. That would be Sachal Vasandani, who will be here to perform next Wednesday, February 13 ...
read more
Singer Sachal Vasandani to Perform June 3 in Saratoga Springs, NY
Source:
Michael Ricci
Jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani, hailed as one of the rising stars of the jazz world and praised for a “golden voice" enhanced by “emotion and intellect, will perform at 8 p.m. June 3 at the Spa Little Theater, Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Chicago-born artist first began attracting attention as a University of Michigan music major when he was named DownBeat magazine's Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the Year in 1999.
After moving to New York and working ...
read more
Jazz Vocalists, Michelle Walker and Sachal Vasandani Tour Russia, November 22-29
Source:
Michael Ricci
Michelle Walker Embarks on Double Bill Russian Tour with singer Sachal Vasandani. November 22 - November 29th.
DATES & CITIES: TUES, NOV. 24TH - Stavropol, RU WED, NOV. 25TH - Moscow, RU THURS, NOV. 26TH - Moscow, RU FRI, NOV. 27TH - Perm, RU SAT, NOV. 28TH - Ekaterinburg, RU SUN, NOV. 29TH - Tumen, RU
Joining Michelle will be:
SACHAL VASANDANI Double Bill Vocalist
read more
Mack Ave Records Releases "We Move" by Sachal Vasandani
Source:
DL Media
ON SEPTEMBER 15, MACK AVENUE RECORDS RELEASES WE MOVE, THE CAPTIVATING SOPHOMORE CD BY SINGER-SONGWRITER SACHAL VASANDANI PRODUCED BY JOHN CLAYTON, DOUG WAMBLE, AL PRYOR AND SACHAL “It is very thrilling to have a new male jazz vocalist on the scene. Having toured with Sachal in Japan made me realize what a wonderful jazz singer he is. It's so good to know that jazz singing is alive and doing great because of this talented young man." --Sheila Jordan
read more
"...superb debut of distinctive originals and intelligent makeovers that teem with a fresh vitality." —Billboard
"He is a flexible performer, versed in the blues, standards, and modern jazz; nonetheless, his sound is consistent and unique" —Wynton Marsalis
Ismael Gabasau
vocalsPhotos
Music
Videos
Similar
Duke Ellington
piano
Kurt Elling
vocals
Louis Prima
trumpet and vocals
Earl Klugh
guitar, acoustic
Tony Bennett
vocals
June Christy
vocals
Arthur Prysock
vocals
Nancy Wilson
vocals
Gerald Wilson
composer / conductor
Johnny Hartman
vocals
Peter Cincotti
piano and vocals
Keely Smith
vocals
Kevin Mahogany
vocals
Diane Marino
piano and vocals
Ernie Andrews
vocals
