Sarah Tolar – Something Sarah

JAZZ/FOLK SINGER SARAH TOLAR RELEASES HER NEW RECORDING, SOMETHING SARAH

A jazz singer-songwriter with a beautiful voice and a talent for writing memorable songs, Sarah Tolar is releasing her third album, Something Sarah.

Sarah remembers how the project originated: “I had just moved to Tucson, Arizona after many years living in Brooklyn. I was hired to sing with the band at a local restaurant. Bob Lambert came to hear me perform and on a break he asked if I could sing the standard ‘You’ve Changed.’” He enjoyed her version so much that he immediately told Sarah that they needed to make a record together. Lambert had worked with producer Jeffrey Wood in the past and his enthusiasm along with the singer’s obvious musical talents resulted in the three collaborating on Something Sarah.

For the recording, drummer Bill Campbell (who has worked with Kurt Rosenwinkel and Snarky Puppy) flew in from New York. He had played on Sarah’s first two records and was the singer’s long-time friend. “I was very fortunate to also get pianist Angelo Versace, a phenomenal musician who is the director of the Jazz Studies program at the University of Arizona, and bassist Thoger Lund. These musicians form my dream band.”

Additional contributors include trumpeter Eric Jacobson, Ben Goldberg on bass clarinet, violinist Lila Sklar, accordionist Dan Cantrell, Greg Sankovich on organ and keyboards, and Michael Papenburg on guitar and steel guitar.

The singer describes the performances on Something Sarah as “a modern take on jazz singer-songwriter music that focuses on storytelling.” She introduces three originals: At The End Of The Day, Be Good To Me, and Finding My Way.

The album is cinematic, filled with rich textures and emotional depth. Highlights include:

• River – A dramatic, intense story of resilience
• At The End Of The Day – Exploring complex relationships
• Way To Blue – A reflective piece about finding direction
• Be Good To Me – A soulful ballad
• Something Cool – A dreamlike reinterpretation
• Lovesong – Bluesy and expressive
• 1917 – A powerful narrative about war
• Who Wants The Evening Rose – English folk with rich instrumentation
• Finding My Way – A folk-inspired original
• You’ve Changed – A quiet, emotional conclusion

The CD bonus track includes Randy Newman’s Louisiana 1927, a classic addressing social challenges in the United States.

Sarah Tolar was born in Greeley, Colorado, and later moved to Valencia, California. Raised by professional musicians, she began performing early. After high school, she toured with a musical show, where she discovered her passion for jazz, inspired by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Diana Krall.

She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, performing extensively in Dallas and Fort Worth. She later moved to New York City, where she worked as a performer, producer, and bandleader, collaborating with artists such as James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel.

Sarah also toured internationally, performed on Broadway and television, and taught at the 92nd Street Y School of Music. Her previous albums, Big Blue Moon and Vision, were both highly successful.

Now based in Tucson, Sarah is excited about this new chapter. “Performing in Tucson has been a tremendous gift for me,” she says. “I’m really excited for people to hear this music. The blending of genres creates a unique experience that many different audiences can enjoy.”

For more information, visit:
www.Desertvinyl.com
www.sarahtolar.com