GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, releases new single “Dusk Baby”, featuring pianist Gerald Clayton.
säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage.
Featuring: Gerald Clayton, piano; Anna Butterss, bass; Christian Euman, drums.
“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world”
-- Micah Hendler, Forbes
“...[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”
-- Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR
“...transcendent music.”
-- DownBeat Magazine
It might come as a surprise to hear that, while newly-formed vocal super-group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, the world continues to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre-defining group.
It is through their three previously released singles and multiple self-produced music videos that this all-female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated, and heartfelt covers and original compositions, understandably garnering critical acclaim and a wide-spread and ardent fanbase.
from left to right: Amanda Taylor, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick, Erin Bentlage
Photo by Lauren Desberg
However it is with their most recent, upcoming single “Dusk Baby” (due September 10th, 2021, independently released) in collaboration with six-time GRAMMY® nominated pianist Gerald Clayton, that listeners get a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that we can expect from their highly-anticipated debut album (Spring 2022). We can also clearly see that säje has positioned themselves as a genre-defining powerhouse ensemble, surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal group.
On the group’s arrangement of “Dusk Baby”, we hear more than just lush harmonies, complex contrapuntal lines, or symbiosis with their all-star band. More than just a deep relationship with the emotional landscape of this piece, and mastery of their craft. We can hear, front and center, that säje is a group to be watched -- if their newest single is only a mouth-watering snapshot of what’s to come.
TOUR:
September 17th // Los Angeles, CA @ LACMA
October 5th // Los Angeles, CA @ Sam First
October 6th // Los Angeles, CA @ Sam First
December 2nd // Los Angeles, CA @ Bovard Auditorium w/ Terri Lyne Carrington
January 6th // Dallas, TX @ Jazz Education Network Conference
