Album Notes

“Music is a language of the human spirit. I can’t imagine a world without music and love lifting people up through the power of song!” - Sandra

WHAT'S NEW

In November 2009 (and May 2008) Sandra was featured in the west coast arts magazine Big Fun / Jazz Profile. The sensual jazz waltz "Rainy Days" from her Girl Gone Jazz CD has received airplay on Jim Wilke's KPLU 88.5 Jazz NW Program. Sandra performs a tribute show to Nine Simone. Her research article on the importance of public school music education is published at www.newhorizons.org/strategies/arts/locklear.htm. Stop by and watch her on youTube.

A FRESH SOUND EMERGES

Sandra Locklear pairs a rich alto voice with jazz piano stylings refined over many years of playing venues in Europe, Canada, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. With a technical proficiency honed since she took her first piano lesson at age 7, the singer-pianist and composer glides with ease between musical genres, from jazz to blues, bossa nova to pop and her own songs. After the release of her debut CD of original compositions, "Goddess Rising," Sandra wanted to pay tribute to her some of her favorite jazz songs

GIRL GONE JAZZ

In 2006 executive producer Douglas Hughes spotted Sandra in a Seattle dinner club and paved the way for her latest album. On "Girl Gone Jazz" Sandra returns to her jazz roots to present an elegant collection of standards and three more of her original songs that dance and shine from track to track.

From playfully feisty to intensely passionate, listeners are treated to clean arrangements that allow Sandra to give standards like “My Baby Just Cares for Me, ” “Here’s To Life” and “Sentimental Journey” a fresh perspective. One of the Latin tracks, "Aqua de Beber," features Brazilian guitarist Marcos de Carvalho. Her best may be unleashed by the classic folk song “House of The Rising Sun.” With stunning emotion pouring through her voice, Sandra does a breathtaking version of this song about the ruination of a young woman from New Orleans.

SANDRA AS COMPOSER AND PERFORMER

Writing intuitively from a woman’s perspective, Sandra says of her composing, “... my style can change from song to song because I try to be true to what’s being conveyed. You can't do that if you're stuck in a box." As a songwriter she wraps jazz-like harmonic and melodic sensibilities around her tender and forthright observations on life.

In her typical fashion, Sandra’s original music on "Girl Gone Jazz" is a stylistic mix. "In Your Dreams” ventures into the Latin-jazz realm and is a mystical exploration of the role of dreaming. Her sensual ballad “Rainy Afternoon” suggests an irresistible eroticism while “Let Me Love You” is a swinging foray into progressive jazz.

INFLUENCES AND STUDIES

Sandra began jazz and classical keyboard training with her lifelong music mentor, Hollywood B-3 jazz organist Margo Beecher. The music of Ellington, Jobim and Bach was standard fare for Sandra’s weekly lessons. By junior high, Sandra was performing at weddings, fashion shows and church. In high school she won Yamaha’s Young Artists NW Regional Organ Competition and went on to compete in California.

A year studying jazz organ in San Francisco inspired her to enroll in a college music program back in Washington State. Unable to resist the lure of the road, Sandra soon accepted an offer to tour with a dance quartet. “And that’s when I really started singing. The band leader stuck a microphone in front of my mouth and ordered me to sing!” she recounts.

Between performing with two bands and as a solo artist regionally and overseas, Sandra continued jazz studies at Cornish College of the Arts and the University of Washington. She eventually earned two music degrees Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude in music composition and education.

INSPIRATIONS

Sandra spent her childhood listening to the British rock invasion and protest music of the 60’s while learning jazz and Latin standards from her music mentor. Alongside the indigenous sounds of the planet, many artists soothed her soul and shaped her ears, including Bill Evans and Jimmy Smith to Astrud Gilberto, Shirley Horne and Sarah Vaughn. Sandra says simply, “I just sing and play what I feel.”

The unconventional road this disciplined artist has traveled has made Sandra's music more resonant with the times. Juggling family responsibilities with the demands of a musical career, early on as a single parent she took her son on the road and financed her college education. To satisfy her soul she went to West Africa to study the roots of jazz with the Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe. Sandra's dynamic path includes overseas, Canadian and stateside tours.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ms. Locklear is available as a solo singer-pianist or with her jazz combo Inner Circle. For bookings and information please write to info@sandralocklear.com.

REVIEWS

“Sandra Locklear sings and plays with a shimmering sensuality and the voice of experience.”
– Maggie Larrick, Capitol Hill Times

“I felt like I was in her music, floating with the sound … it entered my soul.” - Mary Houghtaling, R.N.

“Sandra brings class, spirit, and artistic inspiration .... “ - David Syre, CEO