menu-button3_2
HOME ABOUT SHOWS PLAYLIST EVENTS PARTNERS BLOG MEMBERSHIP GET INVOLVED! Sign In

Events

« BACK TO EVENTS

PDX Jazz Presents: säje

  • 8:00pm Saturday, October 14, 2023

All Ages | Advance $30, PDX Jazz Member $25, VIP $70, Student $20 | TICKETS

Doors 7pm, Show 8pm

GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, releases the second single from their highly anticipated debut album. “(You Are) The Oracle”, featuring vocal virtuoso, Michael Mayo. Music Video and artwork from multidimensional artist Phil Beaudreau.
(Release Date April 14th)

säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage
Featuring: Michael Mayo, voice; Dawn Clement, piano; Ben Williams, bass; Christian Euman, drums

Music and Lyrics by säje. Vocal Arrangement by Amanda Taylor and Erin Bentlage with Johnaye Kendrick/Sara Gazarek. Produced by säje; rhythm section recorded by Pete Min at Lucy’s Meat Market; vocals recorded and edited by Amanda Taylor and  Erin Bentlage. Michael Mayo recorded and edited by Michael Mayo. Audio mixed and mastered by Rich Breen. Music video and album art by Phil Beaudreau

“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

While it may come as a surprise to hear that the 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”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre defining group.

It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self produced music videos that this all female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase.

In their first debut album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective.

With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, an authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth watering snapshot of what’s to come.

-end outer container