Podcast 175: A Conversation with Sachal Vasandani

One of the best young jazz singers in America today is Sachal Vasandani. Born in Chicago, he grew up in a household where all kinds of music was appreciated, from western and Indian classical to the pop of the day including Michael Jackson and the Beatles. His parents also listened to jazz “from Ellington to Keith Jarrett” which piqued Vasandani's curiosity about the music. At the University of Michigan, in addition to majoring in economics, he earned degrees in jazz and classical music. He was named Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the year by DownBeat in 1999, after which he moved to New York to pursue a career as a singer. We Move is his second CD, and it represents a major step forward for a promising artist. Late lat year I had the chance to speak with him about the new recordings, his long-time backing band, and how he approaches singing his own songs and standards. Click here to listen to this exceptional conversation, which includes musical interludes: Sachal Vasandani. – “Escape-There’s A Small Hotel” from We Move. Sachal took poetric license and wrote an introduction to a Rodgers & Hart song he felt was dated. The results - a seamless blend. The band on the album is Doug Wamble on keyboards and guitars, Job Patton on piano, David Wong on bass and Quincy Davis on drums. Justin Brown sits in for Quincy on this track. Sachal Vasandani. – Title Track from We Move. The title track shimmers, aided by the steady repetitive bass of David Wong. Heath Brothers –  “Dusk in the City”  from Endurance. Jeb Patton is Sachal’s talented piano player, and he will release a solo album before the year is out. He also played with the Heath Brothers on their latest release, and contributed this track to the CD. Sachal Vasandani. – “Every Ocean, Every Star” from We Move. A brilliant ballad with an enigmatic lyric, a hallmark of Sachal's compostions. Sachal Vasandani. – “Bring ‘Em Up to Heaven” from Eyes Wide Open. Sachal's first album was enjoyable but his voacls were not as assured and confident as they are on We Move. Here is one of the best from that release.