Results for "Sachal Vasandani"

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 artists 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 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.

Gretchen Parlato, Freddy Cole, Tank and the Bangas, Cecile McLorin Salvant and More!

by Jua Howard
August 5, 2026

Hey Music Family! I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and protecting your peace. It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of new music including from Gretchen Parlato, Suzanne Pittson,Tank and the Bangas, Tom Ricci, Kate McGarry and Cecile McLorin Salvant. I've also got more timeless ...

Ava Preston And Moises Borges Play And Sing Across Borders

by John Chacona
July 15, 2026

On paper, Moises Borges and Ava Preston are an odd match. He's a guitarist from Bahia, the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture, who has been a welcome fixture on northeast Ohio's musical scene for decades. She's a vocalist just a couple of years out of high school whose international career is just beginning. On the bandstand, though, ...

Best Life Now

By Sachal Vasandani

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Track listing: Best Life Now; Call Me (feat. Dayna Stephens); Right On Time (feat. Gretchen Parlato); Stay A Little Bit Longer; Incredible Kindness; Don't Give Up On Me; What's New; Tyrannosaur; Sometimes I Miss (feat. Nate Smith); Too Easy; Blame Love.

Jua Howard's Best Jazz Albums Of 2025

by Jua Howard
December 23, 2025

I'm elated to share my “Best Jazz Albums" list once again!  2025 has been another year of extraordinary music that has kept me inspired, reflective and creatively full.  Even though we've lost musical giants this year such as Jack DeJohnette , Sheila Jordan , Eddie Palmieri and Nancy King; to name a few, the music released ...

Sachal Vasandani: Best Life Now, Stripped Back

by Steven Roby
December 13, 2025

In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with vocalist and songwriter Sachal Vasandani. Known for a voice that critics call “transfixing," Sachal has collaborated with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Bobby McFerrin. Sachal discusses his latest project, Best Life Now, and the surprising journey of taking that album--originally produced ...

Ledisi, The Manhattan Transfer, Tony Bennett, Lady Blackbird and Many More

by Jua Howard
November 17, 2025

Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the First Instrument Jazz Show. I've got a lot of new music to share including music from Ledisi, Sachal Vasandani, Juliet Ewing, Whitney Ross-Barris; and a lot of other timeless music including from The Manhattan Transfer, Lady Blackbird, Tony Bennett, Patti Austin, Olatuja and many more. Come ...

Nasheet Waits, Sasha Berliner, Nels Cline and the Premazzi-Nasser Quartet!

by Hobart Taylor
May 14, 2025

This week's show features the intricate melodies of the Premazzi-Nasser Quartet, new music from guitarist Rez Abbasi, Sasha Berliner, Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and the latest from Nasheet Waits. Playlist Premazzi-Nasser Quartet “Raoul Blues" from From What I Recall (OA2) 0:00 Nasheet Waits “Snake Hip Waltz" from New York Love Letter (Bitter Sweet) (Giant ...

Ashley Jackson, Reginald Cyntje, Kevin Sun, Fred Moten and Brandon Lopez

by Cheryl K.
April 10, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, new music from harpist Ashley Jackson, trombonist Reginald Cyntje, vocalists Jackie Myers and Brittany Davis, two picks for Record Story Day (RSD), two selections from saxophonist Kevin Sun, and poet Don Paul. Playlist Gerry Mulligan “My Old Flame" from The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings ...

Natalie Cole, Michael Stephenson, Brianna Thomas, Nicolas Bearde And More

by Jua Howard
February 23, 2025

Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of timeless music in store, as usual, including from Natalie Cole, Nicolas Bearde, Brianna Thomas, Michael Stephenson, Sheila Jordan, George Benson and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Natalie ...