Welcome to the Official Web Site of

Sara Caswell, Jazz & Classical Violinist

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Upcoming performances:

 

August 2, 2010
New York Pops Dream Band
Free to Dream: The Songs of Katsaros and Schermerhorn
Joe's Pub
New York, NY
7 & 9:30pm

 

August 8-10, 2010
Clinician
New York State Summer Music Conference
Crowne Plaza - Albany City Center
Albany, NY

 

August 24, 2010
With Cynthia Sayer & Sparks Fly
Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater
Chautauqua, NY
8:15pm

 

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Spring 2010

Hello, friends! Hope this message finds you in good spirits.

It has been a busy spring on a number of musical fronts. Rachel & I continue to make strides towards the release of our Caswell Sisters CD project featuring pianist Fred Hersch; we’re hoping it will be available this winter (stay tuned for updates). In the meantime, here are some of the projects & performances with which I’ve been involved in recent months…

CD releases:
• Alan Ferber’s Music for Nonet & Strings - Chamber Songs (Sunnyside Records): a gorgeous project showcasing Alan’s artistry as an arranger, composer, & trombonist. Features such musicians as saxophonists Jon Gordon & John Ellis, drummer Mark Ferber, & yours truly.

• Catherine Russell’s Inside This Heart of Mine (World Village/Harmonia Mundi): the latest CD from Catherine showcases her rich interpretive abilities through songs ranging from Fats Waller to Rachelle Garniez.

• Sam Weiser’s Sam I Am (Disappear Records): the debut CD from this uber-talented & versatile 16-year-old violinist (also happens to be one of my students). Produced by SONiA, all proceeds go to the Daniel Pearl Foundation & FODfest.

CD projects:
• The Randy Newman Project: led by vocalist Roseanna Vitro & pianist/arranger Mark Soskin, this new project re-imagines the unique songs of Randy Newman through Roseanna’s soulful storytelling. RNP bandmates include me, bassist Dean Johnson, & drummer Tim Horner.

• Nadje Noordhuis: equally talented as a composer & trumpeter, Nadje has recorded a beautiful collection of her originals with the help of pianist Geoff Keezer, bassist Joe Martin, drummer Obed Calvaire, & me, as well as percussionist James Shipp & guitarist Rupert Boyd.

I continue to perform regularly with guitar legend Gene Bertoncini (both in duo & trio settings) & the New York Pops (which just completed its 27th season under the leadership of its new musical director Steven Reineke).

As always, check out my itinerary for a complete listing of upcoming concerts and workshops. And don’t be a stranger ~ stop by my Facebook and MySpace pages to say hello!

Sara

Check out Sara's new release on Arbors Records,

But Beautiful

Now Available!

NEWS & REVIEWS!

Fall 2006 - Someone at NPR likes me! Clips from First Song have been used as musical interludes on NPR's "Morning Edition." Keep an ear out!

 

April 2006 - Dr. Herb Wong names But Beautiful as one of the top 30 instrumental jazz albums in his "Blue Chip Jazz CD Awards" for 2005. (View the article)

 

April 2006 - Strings magazine profiles Sara in their encore section! (View the article)

 

January 2006 - But Beautiful is cited in Coda, Canada's Jazz Magazine, as one of the top ten releases of 2005 by reviewer Bill Falconer. (See his chart)

 

9/2/05 - But Beautiful rises to the #1 spot of new jazz releases according to syndicated jazz DJ, Bob Parlocha. See the chart! (See his current chart)

 

 

 

"Caswell's playing is precise, crisp and confident....[she] appears to be aligning herself with the jazz community for the long run and we should feel grateful." 
(read entire review)

Michael Anthony

Jazz Times

 

"Her instrument's voice takes listeners on a thrilling musical journey that is more than a simple treat; it is a sheer delight to the senses." (read entire review)

Veronica Timpanelli

jazzreview.com

 

"Her performance on this album, along with her most able group, bodes well for future recognition."

(read entire review)

Michael P. Gladstone

allaboutjazz.com

 

"Caswell is stellar & subtle with a technique that is formidable without being showy. She can also swing like mad. What a gift for improvisation!" (read entire review)

Bill Falconer

jazzreview.com

 

"...count on Caswell to be the genre break-out artist and leave a bunch of great recordings like this in her wake. Hot stuff." (read entire review)

Chris Spector

Midwest Record Recap