Musical associates include: Michael Bluestein, John Crooks, Jason Harnell, James Alsanders, Jed Wilson, Art Lande, Dave Devoe, Justin Purtill, Michael Herklots, Peter Stoltzman, Taylor Eigsti, Mark Shilansky, Jamie Rosenn, Paul McCandless, Matt Roberts, Randy Ingram, Josh Nelson, Adrianne, DavidKidd.
Influences
Loves. Ex-loves. Ella Fitzgerald, Ben Gibbard, Jonathan Gold, Art Lande, Imogen Heap, Nancy King, Warren Senders, Patty Larkin, Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Charmaine Solomon, Amel Larrieux, Ben Folds, Carmen McRae, Blossom Dearie, Bill Frisell, Gerry Mulligan, Bette Midler, Kenny Wheeler, Tom Waits, Angelique Kidjo, Nina Simone, Coldplay, Thomas Morley, Dar Williams, Randy Newman, Ledesi, Danilo Perez, Anita O' Day, Charles Mingus, Rasputina, Rufus Wainwright, the Refused, Ben Harper, Counting Crows, Crooked Still, Bobby McFerrin, Tim Hardin, Friends
Sara Leib is the jazz singer you wish you'd heard of first and told your friends about. One of the most inventive young vocalists and improvisers around, Leib is proving herself an integral key to the modern jazz scene. Her harmonic approach to scatting, charismatic personality, and endearingly thoughtful stage presence have echoed through the jazz communities of her native Los Angeles and the New England jazz scene. While always maintaining respect for the original melodies, Sara's organic approach adds her own modern arrangements, bringing old songs new life.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Sara Leib has been honing her vocal and performance skills from a young age. In 1999 she participated in the GRAMMY High School Jazz Ensembles, where she performed at various GRAMMY functions, and won a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. In 2001, she continued her studies in jazz at the New England Conservatory. In 2002, Leib performed with renowned saxophonist Dave Liebman, and won the Downbeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Performance by a College Jazz Vocalist, her second honor in the acclaimed publication. In 2003 Sara had the honor of participating in the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy in Aspen, CO where she worked with artists like Christian McBride, Allan Harris, and Cyrus Chestnut. She has performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference, at the famed Jazz Bakery and Catalina Bar and Grill in Los Angeles, CA and toured Japan in 2003 with Jim Stinnett an Bob Kaufman. In 2004 and 2005 Leib was a featured panelist for the NARAS Foundation's GRAMMY In The Schools Program, and in 2005 she toured South Africa, singing and giving a masterclass at the Standard Bank Youth Jazz Festival. In 2007, Sara received a full scholarship and teaching assistantship at USC's Thornton School of Music.
As an independent 24-year-old musician, Sara has toured Japan, South Africa, Boston, New York City, Chicago, Memphis, Denver, San Fran, and Berkeley and she plays regularly around her homebase, Los Angeles. Look for her to appear in the forthcoming book by Scott Yanow entitled, "The Jazz Singers". Leib has also established herself as an in demand session singer. Visit website for more info or contact for rates.
"She's got a beautiful, natural voice, and she improvises with aplomb, scatting with ease." - Steve Greenlee, Boston Globe
Northeast Performer Magazine says Leib "reinterprets the template of the standard into something that seasoned jazz enthusiasts and crossover fans from the Norah Jones camp will both be blown away by...one of those touch of genious phenomenons..."
- Jamie Rattner, Northeast Performer Magazine.
"Sara Leib offers a fresh approach to jazz vocal classicism..." - Larry Katz, Boston Herald
"Sara Leib is a young, evolving talent and with the future of jazz in her hands...the tomorrows of jazz will be secure." - Bob Agnew, LA Jazz Scene
Here's a live video of Sara And Michael playing "Little Girl Blue":
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And here's Sara performing at the Oscars:
If you want to know a little more about Sara...
LOVES:
Soup, dogs, pinkberry, gelato, dry rub ribs, design and modern architechture, bouncy balls, tribal art, string cheese, boggle, and the tragically-cancelled television show Huff.
hey thanks for passing along the positive response! we had a great time playing, a great turnout. are you goin back to school? I think I heard a rumor? and also- do you happen to have rachel miller's contact info? I want to give her a call
Sara! You were fabulous last night. We enjoyed the performance so much - it sounded beautiful, was so creative, and full of you. Love to you 1,000 times.
So, I guess I can attribute my MIA status (from your life) to a re-watching of all the seasons of Buffy. Currently halfway through Season 7, and I think now more than ever that you remind me so much of Willow (or vice versa). Of course, the sweet, smart, loving Willow, not the veiny and vengeful Willow.
yo from NYC... how are you, pretty baby? someone i know very well ;) just produced a record for your friend Alyssa G, who i'm dying to meet. when are you coming to play w me in NY? xoxoxo
dude...i woke up horrified... i did the same, but it might actually be worse!!! high school, $50 for a duo, flugelhorn and snare drum...for the grounbreaking of a hospital... which wasn't even on a landscaped lot... a pile of dirt in NC... in marching band uniform... canary yellow... imagine big bird taking a shit on sgt pepper... i might have the title, or at the very LEAST the ultimate fighting championship belt!!!!!!!!
Sara, Sorry not to be in touch sooner; my phone died in the middle of my trip. But I've been thinking of you and wondering how your trip was. So many thanks and love to you both. D
SARA - yo how are ya - I'll be down in LA for Playboy on June 17th- - if we dont hang then, then we definitely will next time you are in the Bay, or I'm in LA, or you're in NY after Aug 1 (that's when I'm moving there...) - hope all is well
